New England Diocese and the Coronavirus

New England dioceses are taking a number of steps to address concerns related to the coronavirus.(COVID-19). These include (but are not limited to):

In the Diocese of Bridgeport, all weekday and Sunday public Masses celebrated in the presence of the lay faithful are temporarily suspended, and, beginning the Third Sunday of Lent (March 14-15) through the Fifth Sunday of Lent, Bishop Caggiano has temporarily dispensed all Catholics of the Diocese of Bridgeport from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass. In addition, non-liturgical, social events scheduled to take place in the immediate weeks ahead at parishes or diocesan institutions, especially those at which the elderly may be inclined to participate, are postponed or cancelled.

In the Archdiocese of Hartford, all weekday and weekend public Masses are canceled through 3 April. Parishes are encouraged to make provisions for their churches to remain open for some time so that the faithful may come in and pray. Priests are to continue to celebrate a daily Mass with no congregation, remembering in prayer all who are affected by the coronavirus.

In the Diocese of Norwich, all public celebrations of Mass have been temporarily suspended in all churches, and priests are to continue to celebrate a daily Mass with no congregation, remembering in prayer all who are affected by the coronavirus.Pastors are encouraged to make provision for their churches to be open during the day so individuals can still come and pray.

In the Diocese of Portland, all public daily and Sunday Masses and religious services have been temporarily suspended. The Bishop Deeley also issued a dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass for Maine Catholics during this time. Baptisms, funerals, and weddings, including with Mass, may continue but only with immediate family present for the Mass.

In the Archdiocese of Boston, all public celebrations of Mass have been temporarily suspended in all churches. Cardinal O'Malley has asked that all parishes provide for their churches be open every day during reasonable hours in order that the Catholic faithful and other members of the community can have the opportunity to visit the church for times of prayer and that , when possible, there be exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the churches.

In the Diocese of Fall River, all public Masses and other liturgical services have been suspended until further notice. Bishop da Cunha has issued a dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass during this time to all Catholics of the Diocese. Churches are requested to be open for a limited time during the day to the extent possible and at the discretion of the pastor to provide the faithful who still wish with an opportunity to visit for private prayer.

In the Diocese of Springfield, all churches and chapels, including adoration chapels and oratories, are closed until further notice. Funerals may only be held and attended by immediate family and very close friends, and may not exceed the state mandated limit of 25 people.

In the Diocese of Worcester, public liturgies are suspended in all churches until further notice. The obligation to take part in the Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation has also been lifted.

In the Diocese of Manchester, Mass will not be available to the general public; a priest may include one, two, or three members of his parish staff to be present at Mass if he and they so choose. Pastors  to  have  their churches  open  for  extended  hours  of  prayer and, when appropriate, extended hours of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

In the Diocese of Providence, the celebration of all public Masses and other liturgical services have been suspended until further notice. The celebration of funerals and weddings may continue, but must be celebrated without Mass using approved liturgical forms, with every effort being made to limit the size of the congregation to necessary participants only. To the extent possible, churches are encouraged to remain open during the day for personal prayer, devotions, and visits to the Blessed Sacrament. Individual confessions may also be heard during this time.

In the Diocese of Burlington, all regularly scheduled public celebrations of the Catholic Mass, sacraments, and devotions are suspended until further notice. Priests will continue to celebrate Mass privately for the intentions of their community and the Church. Baptisms, funerals, and weddings may take place, but will be strictly limited in attendance to immediate family members. In addition, confessions can be arranged with one's pastor by appointment.

In each of the dioceses, Catholics are encouraged to attend Mass remotely (if possible) via television or other electronic means.