Amid Coronavirus DC, NoVA Catholic Dioceses Make Mass Changes

WASHINGTON, DC — The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Virginia, have released changes to the Mass designed to limit or prevent the spread of COVID-19 in churches. The two major changes suspend shaking hands or embracing when exchanging the sign of peace, and temporarily discontinue use of a common chalice to serve sacramental wine during communion.

Guidelines released by the Conference of Catholic Bishops outlined new protocols designed to prevent or limit the spread of coronavirus. Priests, deacons, altar servers and communion ministers will be expected to follow the new measures in the coming weeks.

COVID-19 is caused by a member of the coronavirus family that's a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past. Symptoms include mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Scientists still don't know how mild or severe the spread of COVID-19 will be, or where the new virus might pop up in the United States.

Johns Hopkins scientists have tracked 96,876 cases as of Thursday afternoon, with 3,347 deaths worldwide. In the United States, 212 cases have been confirmed, and nine deaths, all in King County, Washington.

The Archdiocese of Washington said in a statement on the coronavirus that “pastors may wish to remind their parishioners, in whatever manner is appropriate within Mass, no one is ever under an obligation to shake hands during the Sign of Peace (a statement of peace, bow or other gesture is appropriate) or to receive from the chalice. ... if there is great alarm at this time, you may also consider discontinuing - temporarily - the practice of offering Communion" wine.

Anyone who is ill, or suspects they are ill, should refrain from participation in public activities, including Mass. "If you need to refrain from Sunday Mass, you are dispensed from the Sunday obligation," the church said.

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The DC archdiocese includes the District of Columbia, plus several Maryland counties, including Montgomery and Prince George's.

The diocese of Arlington, Virginia says that local experts have briefed church leaders and made clear that Arlington and surrounding counties are working to prevent the spare of the coronavirus until circumstances change.

Based on CDC guidance, the diocese reissued recommendations to parishes, which are left to the discretion of each pastor:

• Suspend the use of a common chalice during Holy Communion.
• Provide hand sanitizer at church entrances.
• Suspend shaking of hands during the sign of peace.

The diocese asks employees and parishioners with a fever, cough, or body aches to:

• Not report to work until 24 hours after symptoms abate;
• Refrain from attending Mass and other parish activities until 24 hours after symptoms abate.

For more information on this topic from the Arlington County Public Health Division, visit arlingtonva.com.

The Arlington, Virginia, diocese comprises 69 parishes in Virginia, including the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, Spotsylvania, and Stafford, along with the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Fredericksburg, Manassas, and Manassas Park.

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