Coronavirus CT: Hartford Archdiocese Cancels Public Easter Mass

HARTFORD, CT — The Archdiocese of Hartford announced that public masses will be canceled through April 30, including liturgies of Holy Week and Easter.

“Parishes will be advised in the coming days regarding what spiritual opportunities can be offered to their people during this most holy season of the liturgical year,” the Archdiocese said in a statement.

Priests will continue to celebrate daily Mass alone with no congregation.

Archbishop Leonard Blair will livestream prayers at noon March 25. Pope Francis also announced that he will give a blessing to the world on March 27 at 1 p.m. EST.

The Diocese of Bridgeport has suspended public Masses through at least April 3. The diocese will update parishioners on plans March 30, according to its website.

The Diocese of Bridgeport urged parishioners to consider online giving as parishes feel a financial impact from a lack of public Masses.

Many parishes already offer online giving, but the diocese will set-up a universal online offering program later this week where parishioners can electronically donate to a parish of their choosing. Weekly in-pew offerings are a principal means of providing for ongoing church expenses.

“These past few weeks have brought us unprecedented challenges. I am deeply grateful for the many creative and innovative ways in which you are ministering to your parishioners in this time of crisis. Caring for the spiritual well-being of our people is essential and always our highest priority,” Bridgeport Diocese Bishop Frank Caggiano said.