Catholic Church takes a series of measures to prevent the spread of the pandemic
The Catholic Church takes preventive measures against the coronavirus. (Aurelia Ventura / La Opinion).
Photo:
Aurelia Ventura / Impremedia / La Opinion
Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gómez announced that in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, for the remainder of March, Catholics will be released from the obligation to attend weekend Masses in churches from the archdiocese of Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.
The dispensation will be for the masses on the weekends of March 14 and 15; March 21 and 22; and March 28 and 29, which are usually the ones with the highest attendance.
It was also announced that attendance at mass will be limited to 250 people to meet the six-foot social distance that the public health authorities of the state of California have recommended.
Other preventive measures include the suspension of celebrations of the Catholic faith that are not indispensable such as spiritual retreats, penance services, parent meetings, youth group meetings and prayer.
Archbishop Gomez encouraged those who cannot go to Mass to remain in their homes and read the Gospels, pray for their families and join in the sacrifice of Mass by taking an act of spiritual communion.
Some additional precautions that the Catholic Church will take contemplate that communion is only delivered in the hand and not in the mouth, and the consecrated wine that is usually drunk from the same glass, will not be shared.
Parishioners will be asked not to greet each other during Mass, and not hold other people's hands during the Lord's Prayer. They are also asked not to greet each other before and after masses.
The baskets to ask for donations during religious celebrations will not be passed among the attendees but will be placed in one place; or they will be handled by volunteers who have disinfected their hands.
"It is true that with the worldwide outbreak of the coronavirus, we are facing a global health emergency that we have not seen in all our lives, but we hope that God will give us grace and consideration in these times of need," said the archbishop. Gomez.
And he commented that given the dangers and uncertainties generated by this public health crisis, after praying and reflecting and with the advice of his brother bishops, priests and lay advisers, he was authorized to take certain precautions and adaptations related to the celebration of the Eucharist in the parishes.
"These measures are intended to lower the risk of disease exposure during our praise."
If you want to listen to the Sunday mass of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Los Angeles online and live, visit the Facebook page of Catholics (facebook.com/lacatholics/) or lacatholics.org/emergency/.
Mass in English is celebrated at 10 a.m. and the mass in Spanish at 12:30 p.m.
“We are going to pray for those who are sick and who already have someone they love with the virus. May God comfort you and guarantee you peace! Said the leader of the Catholic Church in Los Angeles.
And he asked to pray for doctors, nurses, adult and child care managers, public health officials, and civilian leaders. "God grant you the courage and the prudence to respond to this emergency with compassion and service of the common good."
You can also visit the emergency preparedness website lacatholics.org/emergency, with the most updated information and resources to limit the impact of the coronavirus.
