People exchange the sign of peace during Mass at a church in El Paso, Texas, last year. Dioceses nationwide, including the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, are responding to the coronavirus depending on their circumstances. CNS

People are wearing surgical masks at liturgies in some parts of the world — and in several cities and dioceses around the globe Mass has been temporarily suspended — as health officials try to curb the spread of a sometimes-deadly coronavirus that originated in China earlier this year.

At this point, there have been no reports of people infected by the virus in Minnesota. 

But officials at the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis have heard from people concerned about the coronavirus, designated COVID-19 by world health authorities, and seeking guidance on how to prevent any spread at Mass and church-related functions. 

Thus far, no archdiocese-wide changes to liturgical practices are planned, but the virus is a moving target and that could change in the future, said Father Tom Margevicius, the archdiocese’s director of worship.

“With the way it spread in China, will it do that here?” he asked. “Here in the U.S. and even in Minnesota, if in a week we’re surprised how quickly this is spreading,” then a more aggressive stance might be taken, he said.

In Connecticut, for example, which is surrounded by states where the coronavirus has been detected, Archbishop Leonard Blair has enacted precautionary measures that include avoiding handshakes and other physical contact during the Sign of Peace, suspending distribution of Communion via the chalice and emptying holy water fonts, Father Margevicius said.

On March 4, Father Margevicius issued advice to priests, deacons and liturgical ministers of the archdiocese, urging them to follow the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops long-standing guidance on influenza, which every year may pose a public health threat. More stringent measures could also be taken on a parish-wide basis, depending on circumstances, Father Margevicius said. 

The coronavirus appears to be spreading in a similar fashion as the flu, he said.

Simple precautions that priests, deacons and extraordinary ministers of holy Communion can take to prevent spreading the flu and other viruses include carefully washing hands, particularly before Mass begins, USCCB guidelines suggest. Ministers of holy Communion also can use an alcohol-based anti-bacterial solution before and after distributing Communion.

In his guidance to clergy and liturgical ministers, Father Margevicius said depending on the need, pastors can issue additional guidelines for their parishes, such as temporarily suspending touching during the Sign of Peace or suspending Communion from the chalice. They also could empty holy water fonts and ask that no one hold hands during the Our Father.

In an interview with The Catholic Spirit, Father Margevicius said parish-wide guidelines could be implemented simply to ease people’s minds or to protect particularly vulnerable populations, such as the elderly or those with underlying health conditions.

“If sentiment is strong in a parish, it makes sense to calm nerves, to take an aggressive approach,” he said.

More aggressive steps also might be warranted if a pastor is particularly nervous about risks to his own health, he said.

Parishioners also should be aware of steps they can take, such as washing hands before and after Mass, using hand sanitizer at Mass and receiving the Eucharist solely as the host and only by hand, Father Margevicius said.

In addition, the obligation to attend Mass each Sunday is binding only on those healthy enough to do so, he said. Parishioners who are ill are encouraged to remain home, he said.

If attending Mass becomes excessively burdensome for any reason the obligation is lifted as well, he said. The obligation also would not be binding if a priest who was expected to preside at Mass suddenly became ill and those gathered for the Mass couldn’t attend another Mass, Father Margevicius said.

If a bishop decides a contagious illness is running rampant he can order a temporary suspension of all Masses and urge people to stay home, also eliminating the Sunday obligation, he said.

The Minnesota Department of Health and other health officials are monitoring the impact of COVID-19. MDH recommendations to schools and child care centers, for example, does not currently include canceling events or extracurricular activities. It does include staying home when sick, covering coughs and keeping hands clean.

But even now, more aggressive approaches than general flu guidelines might be taken by pastors depending on the needs of their parish, Father Margevicius said.

“If there is serious concern, on a pastoral level, we need to soothe the anxiety,” he said. “If people are at greater risk or there is greater anxiety, (pastors) might take a more aggressive approach.” 

PRAYERS FOR THOSE AFFECTED

Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis advice given March 4 to priests, deacons and liturgical ministers regarding liturgical practices and the coronavirus includes this suggested addition to Prayers of the Faithful at Mass:

 “For those affected by the coronavirus, influenza, and other illnesses. May the sick be granted a swift recovery, the medical personnel receive the support they need, and those grieving the loss of loved ones be sustained by the hope of eternal life and the care of the Church.”