Most Rev. Dennis M. Schnurr, Archbishop of Cincinnati
Most Rev. Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop of Cincinnati
Most Rev. Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Columbus
Most Rev. Jeffrey M. Monforton, Bishop of Steubenville
Most Rev. George V. Murry, S.J. Bishop of Youngstown
Rev. Donald P. Oleksiak, Diocesan Administrator of Cleveland
Most Rev. Daniel E. Thomas, Bishop of Toledo
Most Rev. J. Michael Botean, Romanian Eparchy of Canton
Most Rev. Bohdan J. Danylo, Ukrainian Eparchy of St. Josaphat
Most Rev. Milan Lach, SJ Byzantine Eparchy of Parm
May, 2020
Your Excellencies:
We hope and pray that this letter finds you well. Happy Easter to you and your loved ones, and to all those under your care.
We understand that you and your Episcopal brethren are weighing the risks to the physical health of your flocks and, on the other hand, their Spiritual health. While we understand the legitimate concerns that the Coronavirus has raised, and the need to make efforts to safeguard the faithful, with all due respect, we believe that more can and must be done to tend to our spiritual needs. It is difficult to overstate the impact that the removal of the Sacraments for these past 6 weeks has had on the members of the Body of Christ. With the prospect of this untenable situation continuing for another month or more, the urgency to address this tremendous Spiritual deficit becomes even greater. We the undersigned would like to ask you as our Spiritual shepherds to seek creative means to restore the Sacraments to the Faithful, while making efforts to cooperate with civil government in mitigating the spread of the virus. We believe that there are many areas of opportunity to explore, some of which we share below:
• Open the Churches: This should be an arms-length solution which would pose no problems with social distancing guidelines and good hygiene. With Churches included in the revised order as an “Essential Service”, anyone wishing to travel to a Church should have no issue doing so. There is simply no good reason for any Church to be closed, if reasonable guidelines are practiced. Your encouragement to the Pastors in your Dioceses to follow this directive would be welcomed and appreciated.
• “Parking Lot” Masses: These have been used in other Dioceses, and locally by Protestant denominations for their services, with the formal approval of State and local authorities. As the Faithful stay in their cars throughout, there is essentially no transmission risk (with the exception of receiving Holy Communion for those who choose to do so). While far less than ideal, these Masses allow the Faithful to assist at the Mass, rather than simply watching it on TV, which as you know is a far different thing. The risk is extremely low, the spiritual value inestimable, and once again, this can be done in a compliance with current civil guidelines.
• Outdoor Masses: Studies show that the virus has a very short life outside, and rates of transmission outside are exceptionally low. Sites could be identified which would allow adequate spacing, with a more intimate experience than the above noted Parking Lot Masses.
• Confession: Referencing the above ideas for making the Mass available, “Drive Through” and outdoor confessions, as well as the use of appropriate spacing and barriers, have extremely limited risk of transmission, but incalculable spiritual benefits. As discussed above, these also fall into the category of “Essential Services”, and meet civil guidelines for social distancing. They should be made widely available to the Faithful without delay. Once again, your encouragement of your Pastors in this area would be a great service to the Faithful.
We appreciate your consideration of the suggestions outlined in this letter. As you well know, the importance of the public celebration of the Mass and the availability of the Sacraments goes well beyond that of providing emotional support to the faithful; it is central to who we are as Catholics. They were instituted by Christ himself, who enjoined us to have frequent recourse to them. The graces they impart simply cannot be replicated nearly as effectively in “virtual” representations. As such, it is imperative, that with reasonable precautions put in place, they be resumed immediately.
Updates
May 7, 2020
The silence from the bishops is heavy and honestly exhausting to navigate. I am still reading the personal stories you send and they remind me why this work is necessary despite the lack of response so far.
Reached 100 supporters
May 7, 2020
54 Comments
For Catholics, Mass and the Sacraments are essential, especially the Eucharist, for our spiritual health. If Walmart is permitted to be open, how much more should our Churches be open. With a little creativity, safety can be assured while tending to the real spiritual needs of the flock. Thank you. Dr. Barbara Benander
Please open the churches and return to us the Mass and confession. Leave the dispensation in place in order to protect elderly and vulnerable.
I'd like to add, I do not really think drive through confessions or outdoor mass is necessary, nor do i want them. I want regular activity. We are allowed to wait in lines at restaurants and grocery stores- why not confession lines? We are allowed to sit in busses and trains. Why not pews?
These suggestions are creative and respectful of social distancing procedures. In the spirit of St. Charles Borromeo, we need holy passion from our bishops to promote these suggestions and allow the Church to serve its crucial function at this time.
Please let me serve at mass again. I have seen priests in Oklahoma have a full drive-in mass. Why can’t we under same guidelines to safely guard the congregation. But please make it soon, many souls are at stake.
Some Governors are so intent on keeping their states locked down tight, and it has nothing to do with keeping their citizens safe from the coronavirus pandemic, it’s for political reasons. It's because they're terrified that a rebounding economy will Increase President Trump’s chances for a reelection success on November 3 and so they choose to punish their citizens by not opening their states. Think before you Vote: President Trump’s continued economic recovery as evidence of his administration's success or Joe Biden a Career politician, ALL Talk No Action, Who has Nothing to Show for 47 years in Washington, D.C., it’s a “no brainer”.
Mass and sacraments need to be available. This is your job! Save souls! Why did you give in to government suppression?
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Most Rev. Dennis M. Schnurr, Archbishop of Cincinnati
Most Rev. Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop of Cincinnati
Most Rev. Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Columbus
Most Rev. Jeffrey M. Monforton, Bishop of Steubenville
Most Rev. George V. Murry, S.J. Bishop of Youngstown
Rev. Donald P. Oleksiak, Diocesan Administrator of Cleveland
Most Rev. Daniel E. Thomas, Bishop of Toledo
Most Rev. J. Michael Botean, Romanian Eparchy of Canton
Most Rev. Bohdan J. Danylo, Ukrainian Eparchy of St. Josaphat
Most Rev. Milan Lach, SJ Byzantine Eparchy of Parm
May, 2020
Your Excellencies:
We hope and pray that this letter finds you well. Happy Easter to you and your loved ones, and to all those under your care.
We understand that you and your Episcopal brethren are weighing the risks to the physical health of your flocks and, on the other hand, their Spiritual health. While we understand the legitimate concerns that the Coronavirus has raised, and the need to make efforts to safeguard the faithful, with all due respect, we believe that more can and must be done to tend to our spiritual needs. It is difficult to overstate the impact that the removal of the Sacraments for these past 6 weeks has had on the members of the Body of Christ. With the prospect of this untenable situation continuing for another month or more, the urgency to address this tremendous Spiritual deficit becomes even greater. We the undersigned would like to ask you as our Spiritual shepherds to seek creative means to restore the Sacraments to the Faithful, while making efforts to cooperate with civil government in mitigating the spread of the virus. We believe that there are many areas of opportunity to explore, some of which we share below:
• Open the Churches: This should be an arms-length solution which would pose no problems with social distancing guidelines and good hygiene. With Churches included in the revised order as an “Essential Service”, anyone wishing to travel to a Church should have no issue doing so. There is simply no good reason for any Church to be closed, if reasonable guidelines are practiced. Your encouragement to the Pastors in your Dioceses to follow this directive would be welcomed and appreciated.
• “Parking Lot” Masses: These have been used in other Dioceses, and locally by Protestant denominations for their services, with the formal approval of State and local authorities. As the Faithful stay in their cars throughout, there is essentially no transmission risk (with the exception of receiving Holy Communion for those who choose to do so). While far less than ideal, these Masses allow the Faithful to assist at the Mass, rather than simply watching it on TV, which as you know is a far different thing. The risk is extremely low, the spiritual value inestimable, and once again, this can be done in a compliance with current civil guidelines.
• Outdoor Masses: Studies show that the virus has a very short life outside, and rates of transmission outside are exceptionally low. Sites could be identified which would allow adequate spacing, with a more intimate experience than the above noted Parking Lot Masses.
• Confession: Referencing the above ideas for making the Mass available, “Drive Through” and outdoor confessions, as well as the use of appropriate spacing and barriers, have extremely limited risk of transmission, but incalculable spiritual benefits. As discussed above, these also fall into the category of “Essential Services”, and meet civil guidelines for social distancing. They should be made widely available to the Faithful without delay. Once again, your encouragement of your Pastors in this area would be a great service to the Faithful.
We appreciate your consideration of the suggestions outlined in this letter. As you well know, the importance of the public celebration of the Mass and the availability of the Sacraments goes well beyond that of providing emotional support to the faithful; it is central to who we are as Catholics. They were instituted by Christ himself, who enjoined us to have frequent recourse to them. The graces they impart simply cannot be replicated nearly as effectively in “virtual” representations. As such, it is imperative, that with reasonable precautions put in place, they be resumed immediately.
Updates
May 7, 2020
The silence from the bishops is heavy and honestly exhausting to navigate. I am still reading the personal stories you send and they remind me why this work is necessary despite the lack of response so far.
Reached 100 supporters
May 7, 2020
54 Comments
Please consider spiritual health! We are created body AND soul. Closing the sacraments is giving the message that bodily health is more important than the health of our soul.
For Catholics, Mass and the Sacraments are essential, especially the Eucharist, for our spiritual health. If Walmart is permitted to be open, how much more should our Churches be open. With a little creativity, safety can be assured while tending to the real spiritual needs of the flock. Thank you. Dr. Barbara Benander
Please open the churches and return to us the Mass and confession. Leave the dispensation in place in order to protect elderly and vulnerable.
I'd like to add, I do not really think drive through confessions or outdoor mass is necessary, nor do i want them. I want regular activity. We are allowed to wait in lines at restaurants and grocery stores- why not confession lines? We are allowed to sit in busses and trains. Why not pews?
These suggestions are creative and respectful of social distancing procedures. In the spirit of St. Charles Borromeo, we need holy passion from our bishops to promote these suggestions and allow the Church to serve its crucial function at this time.
Please let me serve at mass again. I have seen priests in Oklahoma have a full drive-in mass. Why can’t we under same guidelines to safely guard the congregation. But please make it soon, many souls are at stake.
Some Governors are so intent on keeping their states locked down tight, and it has nothing to do with keeping their citizens safe from the coronavirus pandemic, it’s for political reasons. It's because they're terrified that a rebounding economy will Increase President Trump’s chances for a reelection success on November 3 and so they choose to punish their citizens by not opening their states. Think before you Vote: President Trump’s continued economic recovery as evidence of his administration's success or Joe Biden a Career politician, ALL Talk No Action, Who has Nothing to Show for 47 years in Washington, D.C., it’s a “no brainer”.
Mass and sacraments need to be available. This is your job! Save souls! Why did you give in to government suppression?
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Please consider spiritual health! We are created body AND soul. Closing the sacraments is giving the message that bodily health is more important than the health of our soul.