All Masses Canceled In Twin Cities Over Coronavirus Fears

TWIN CITIES, MN — Earlier this month, Archbishop Bernard Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis allowed Catholics in the Twin Cities metro tp skip Mass in order to avoid the spread of the new coronavirus. Now, he's suspending Mass altogether.

"State Officials have communicated to religious leaders that the next two weeks are critical for the containment of the COVID-19/coronavirus and that all congregational gatherings should be avoided," Hebda wrote in a letter to Catholics in the metro.

"While I am sure that the advice is startling for those of any creed, it particularly hits hard for Catholics, given our beliefs about the Mass and the Eucharist."

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Hebda said he made the decision after learning that a priest in another U.S. diocese tested positive for COVID-19 and unknowingly put his parish at risk before experiencing symptoms.

"Given both the moral impossibility of attending Mass, as well as the dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass that was extended to the faithful of the Archdiocese last week, please rest assured that the missing of Mass in these conditions should not weigh on your conscience," he added.

Hebda also asked Catholics to pray for Gov.Tim Walz, Commissioner Jan Malcom from the Minnesota Department of Health, "and all public servants working to keep our communities safe."

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