Arlington Catholic Diocese Shares Coronavirus Guidance

ARLINGTON, VA — The Catholic Diocese of Arlington (CDA) is taking a number of extra precautions in order to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, among its parishes, schools, ministries, and charities, according to a CDA release.

These are in addition to those introduced on March 5, when the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Virginia, released changes to the Mass designed to limit or prevent the spread of COVID-19 in churches.

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.

In consultation with the CDC, CDA issued the following news directions on Wednesday, March 11:

Parishes

Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, Diocese of Arlington, directed all parishes, and high school and campus ministries to take the following steps:

• Suspend the use of a common chalice during Holy Communion
• Omit or suspend the Sign of Peace
• Empty Holy Water fonts
• All liturgical vessels should be cleaned with soap and water after each Mass, including any pyx that will be taken to a nursing home, hospital, the homebound, etc.
• Surfaces in our churches, offices, and other facilities are to be cleaned as frequently as possible

According to public health experts, receiving Communion on the tongue poses no greater risk of spreading COVID-19 that receiving Communion on the hand. It is left to the discretion of the pastor on how to proceed in this matter.

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Parishioners exhibiting symptoms of illness should avoid coming to Mass or any other church activity until 24 hours after the symptoms have abated.

Those members of the community who are most vulnerable to illness — individuals 6o and older, with chronic illness, or with immune system deficiencies — have been granted dispensation from the Sunday Mass obligation. This dispensation extends to parishioners providing care to those individuals.

Diocesan Catholic Schools

All school-sponsored international travel at CDA Catholic schools is to be cancelled through June 20. In addition, all domestic overnight travel from March 11 through May 1 is also cancelled. Scheduled day trips may proceed, except for trips to New York state.

Catholic Charities:

Catholic Charities is following CDC guidelines and best practices relating to the coronavirus as it continues to coordinate each of its 20 programs and 16 stand-alone locations to maintain that services to the poor and vulnerable.

Related:

Amid Coronavirus DC, NoVA Catholic Dioceses Make Mass Changes

SEE ALSO: Virginia Coronavirus Updates: What You Need To Know