social distancing Archives

Police called after Argentine priest holds outdoor Mass for First Communion

May 4, 2021

Despite knowing that religious ceremonies that lasted more than 30 minutes and included more than 20 people in his diocese were banned due to Argentina’s second COVID-19 wave, a local priest on Saturday challenged both his bishop and civil authorities by holding a First Communion Mass in an open-air space with close to 100 participants.

By Inés San Martín

CDC director gives nod to indoor worship services for masked, vaccinated

Apr 30, 2021

When the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said April 27 that fully vaccinated people who wear masks can safely attend many indoor events such as worship services, the announcement likely did not catch many Catholics by surprise.

By Carol Zimmermann

La Crosse priest flouts ‘godless’ COVID protocols

Apr 26, 2021

A priest in La Crosse has been ignoring COVID-19 gathering restrictions at his masses while warning people that vaccines are useless and anyone who imposes virus-related protocols will burn in the “lowest, hottest levels” of hell.

By Associated Press

New App puts missal in the palm of your hands

Mar 16, 2021

When Catholic churches nationwide reopened last summer after a months-long hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, parishioners followed along empty handed, as the missals typically found at each pew were removed so people wouldn’t touch the same surfaces.

By John Lavenburg

As Texas and Mississippi lift COVID restrictions, bishops voice caution

Mar 8, 2021

Catholic prelates in Texas and Mississippi will, for the most part, maintain COVID-19 precaution mandates at their parishes despite recent announcements from each state’s governor that restrictions will ease.

By John Lavenburg

High court tells Santa Clara it can’t bar in-person worship

Feb 27, 2021

The Supreme Court is telling California’s Santa Clara County that it can’t enforce a ban on indoor religious worship services put in place because of the coronavirus pandemic.

By Associated Press

Bishop: Maine governor’s new order on religious gatherings ‘unacceptable’

Feb 23, 2021

Maine Gov. Janet Mills’s Feb. 12 executive order that she explained would expand limits on church gatherings does little to help the state’s Catholic churches, Bishop Robert P. Deeley of Portland said.

By Catholic News Service

Justices: California can’t enforce indoor church service ban

Feb 6, 2021

The Supreme Court is telling California that it can’t bar indoor church services because of the coronavirus pandemic, but it can keep for now a ban on singing and chanting indoors.

By Jessica Gresko