Bishop updates COVID procedures, plans to restore Sunday obligation
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April 1, 2021Bishop Richard F. Stika has issued updated COVID-19 safety procedures for parishes with an eye toward restoring the Sunday Mass obligation on Pentecost weekend.
The revised protocols come in the wake of the nation’s move to extend vaccinations to more people and stem the impact of the virus on the public and the healthcare system. As of March 26, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that more than 53 million Americans have been completely vaccinated against COVID-19, and more than 93 million have received at least one dose of a vaccine.
In a formal decree issued on March 25, Bishop Stika asked pastors to remind the faithful that currently their obligation to attend Sunday mass remains dispensed. He added, “It is my intention to restore the obligation to attend Sunday Mass, effective Pentecost Sunday, May 22-23.”
The Dioceses of Memphis and Nashville restored the Sunday obligation on Palm Sunday, but Bishop Stika expressed concern that such a move for the Diocese of Knoxville is premature.
“I am still not comfortable about the situation here in East Tennessee,” Bishop Stika said. "Some people have received the vaccine and some have not. Spring break is going on, and there are still many uncertainties out there with the new strains of the virus. I do not want to place an undue burden on the faithful, so what I have decided is to wait.”
Among the items listed in the Bishop’s decree:
• Pastors must routinely remind the faithful that currently their obligation to attend Sunday Mass is dispensed.
• Each pastor has significant discretion to discern their parish capacity restrictions in the ways that is best suited to their parish community.
• Cloth face coverings are required at all worship services and social events.
• Holy water fonts should remain dry, and hymnals and missals should remain removed from the pews.
• Baskets at fixed locations or extended-handle baskets are required for collections. No collection baskets shall be passed among parishioners.
• Holding hands during the recitation of the Our Father is not permitted.
• The Sign of Peace should be exchanged without physical contact.
• Communion on the hand is permissible. Communion on the tongue is permissible under specific safety precautions.
• Singing is permitted following guidelines.
• Meetings are permitted following guidelines.Public Masses were discontinued in the Diocese of Knoxville in March 2020. Public Masses resumed on Pentecost weekend 2020, but under strict COVID-19 safety protocols.
“Last year, we reopened public worship on Pentecost, the birth of the Church, 50 days after the celebration of Easter. So my goal (this year) is to lift the dispensation from Sunday observance on Pentecost weekend,” Bishop Stika said.
In this special audio message to parishioners posted to the diocesan website (dioknox.org), Bishop Stika reiterated the continued need to wear masks at Masses and to follow diocesan safety protocols.
The bishop also indicated he is considering a possible “diocesan celebration” to be held individually at each parish sometime in September 2021 to recognize the commitment of parishioners and parishes during the pandemic.
