Baltimore, DC Dioceses Make Changes To Ease Coronavirus Fears

BALTIMORE, MD — The Catholic Diocese of Baltimore and the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., have released changes to the Mass designed to limit or prevent the spread of the new coronavirus in churches. Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori on Tuesday ordered the clergy to suspend the sign of peace at Masses and stop offering consecrated 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.

Thursday night Gov. Larry Hogan said that three Montgomery County residents, who live in two households, have tested positive for the new coronavirus. These are the first cases of the novel coronavirus confirmed in Maryland.

He declared a state of emergency in Maryland, directing the Maryland Department of Health and Maryland Emergency Management Agency to "ramp up" coordination among state and local agencies and "fast-track" the state's response to the illness.

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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.

Communion ministers will use hand sanitizer before distributing the Eucharist, Archbishop Lori said. Maintenance workers will step up efforts to disinfect areas that frequently come into contact with hands, such as the tops of church pews, the Baltimore diocese said.

Archbishop Lori said parishioners who are sick are encouraged to stay home and not attend church services. Church leaders emphasized that missing Mass because of an illness is not a sin. Recorded services are available via radio, television and online.

Holy water fonts may be drained and remain empty at the discretion of each pastor, the diocese said. If the fonts do not remain empty, they should be drained, cleaned and sanitized, and refilled regularly, Archbishop Lori said.

Johns Hopkins scientists have tracked 101,587 cases as of Friday afternoon, with 3,460 deaths worldwide. In the United States, 245 cases have been confirmed, and 12 deaths, one in California and the rest in Washington state.

The Archdiocese of Washington — which includes the District of Columbia, plus several Maryland counties, including Montgomery and Prince George's — 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.

Church officials urged clergy to follow guidelines from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Maryland Department of Health, including:

• Wash your hands frequently with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Cover your mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home from work or school.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Practice good health habits.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Get a flu shot. While the influenza vaccine does not protect against coronavirus infection, it can help keep you healthy during the flu season.

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• 3 Students Spark Coronavirus Concern At Baltimore School: Report