Washington D.C., Mar 17, 2020 / 11:00 am (CNA).- This story is developing and will be regularly updated.

Last updated: 4:46 pm MT, Tuesday March 17

In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, bishops across the country have taken steps to curtail the spread of the illness, and many dioceses have announced restrictions on public Mass and other liturgies. 

Is Mass canceled in your diocese?

Below is CNA’s rolling coverage of restrictions and special measures taken by dioceses, organized by province, and the status of public Masses and school closings. This list will be updated regularly as news comes in, but check with your diocese for any to-the-minute changes where you live.

To let CNA know about closings or dispensations in your diocese, email us here. Try to include a link to official notification if you can.

Province of Anchorage (Archdiocese of Anchorage, Dioceses of Juneau, and Fairbanks):

The Archdiocese of Anchorage has suspended public Masses.

The Diocese of Juneau has suspended public Masses.

The Diocese of Fairbanks has suspended public Masses.

Province of Atlanta (Archdiocese of Atlanta, Dioceses of Savannah, Charleston, Raleigh, Charlotte):  

The Archdiocese of Atlanta suspended public Masses.

The Diocese of Savannah has suspended public Masses.

The Diocese of Charleston has suspended public Masses.

The Diocese of Charlotte has suspended public Masses in all churches which seat more than 100 people, and dispensed all Catholics from their Sunday obligation.

All public "weekend Masses in the Diocese of Raleigh are suspended until further notice."

Province of Baltimore (Archdiocese of Baltimore, Dioceses of Wheeling-Charleston, Wilmington, Richmond, Arlington): 

The Archdiocese of Baltimore has suspended public Masses until further notice.

Bishop Mark Brennan of Wheeling-Charleston has suspended "for the time being the public celebration of Mass, both for Sunday obligation and daily Masses", beginning the afternoon of March 14.

The Diocese of Arlington has suspended all public Masses.

The Diocese of Wilmington has suspended all public Masses.

Bishop Barry Knestout of Richmond on March 16 suspended all public Masses.

Province of Boston (Archdiocese of Boston, Dioceses of Burlington, Fall River, Manchester, Portland, Springfield Ma., Worcester):

Public Masses have been suspended in the Archdiocese of Boston.

Bishop Peter Libasci of Manchester has canceled the public celebration of Mass.

The Diocese of Fall River suspended public Masses.

The Diocese of Burlington has dispensed all Catholics from their Sunday obligation.

The Diocese of Springfield, Mass., has suspended public Masses.

The Diocese of Portland in Maine dispensed from their Sunday obligation those "who are comprised because of age, illness, or other complicating health issues."

The Diocese of Worcester has suspended all public Masses.

Province of Chicago (Archdiocese of Chicago, Dioceses of Belleville, Joliet, Peoria, Rockford, Springfield Ill.): 

The Archdiocese of Chicago has suspended all public liturgies and closed all archdiocesan schools “until further notice.” 

The Diocese of Springfield has dispensed all Catholics from their Sunday obligation.

The Diocese of Rockford has suspended from their Sunday obligation those Catholics with chronic medical conditions, those over 60, those who are ill or not feeling well, and those uncomfortable in large gatherings.

The Diocese of Joliet suspended weekend Masses for "the time being." Daily Masses and funerals can continue.

The Diocese of Peoria has suspended all public liturgies.

In the Diocese of Belleville, "anyone who is ill is automatically dispensed from the obligation to participate in the Sunday Eucharist."

Province of Cincinnati (Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Dioceses of Cleveland, Columbus, Steubenville, Toledo, Youngstown):

All public Masses in the state of Ohio are suspended.

Province of Denver (Archdiocese of Denver, Dioceses of Cheyenne, Colorado Springs, Pueblo):

Public celebration of the Mass has been suspended across the entire state of Colorado.

The Diocese of Cheyenne has suspended all public Masses.

Province of Detroit ( Archdiocese of Detroit, Dioceses of Gaylord, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Marquette, Saginaw): 

The Archdiocese of Detroit has temporarily suspended all public Masses, and closed all Catholic schools from March 13 through April 6.

The Diocese of Lansing has suspended public Masses until April 8.

The Diocese of Gaylord has suspended public Masses until April 6.

The Diocese of Saginaw has suspended all public Masses until April 5.

Bishop Paul Bradley of Kalamazoo has dispensed all Catholics from their Sunday obligation.

The Diocese of Grand Rapids has suspened public Masses, and closed Catholic schools, through the month of March.

The Diocese of Superior has dispensed all Catholics from their Sunday obligation.

Province of Dubuque (Archdiocese of Dubuque, Dioceses of Davenport, Des Moines, Sioux City): 

The Archdicoese of Dubuque has suspended all public Masses.

The Diocese of Sioux City has suspended all public Masses.

The Diocese of Des Moines has canceled all public Masses.

The Diocese of Davenport has suspended public Masses.

Province of Galveston-Houston (Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, Dioceses of Austin, Beaumont, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Tyler, Victoria): 

The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston issued a statement saying, “At this time when the faithful need to maintain some degree of normalcy in the midst of the current health crisis, the Archdiocese is recommending that each parish continue to maintain their regular Mass schedules for all those who wish to participate.  Any parishioners who are uncomfortable about attending Sunday Mass due to the coronavirus are excused from the obligation to attend.”

In the Diocese of Victoria, Catholics uncomfortable attending Mass because of coronavirus are dispensed from the Sunday obligation.

The Diocese of Victoria adds that: “Each pastor has the authority to decide what will and will not change in his own parish. Parishioners should contact their parish offices regarding parish events. The Diocese of Victoria’s Communications Department will support the churches and schools by helping to keep people updated on social media.”

The Diocese of Austin suspended public Masses.

In the Diocese of Tyler, those who are over 60, chronically ill, immune-compromised, caretakers, or uncomfortable in large groups during the pandemic are excused from their Sunday obligation.

Catholics in the Diocese of Brownsville are dispensed from their Sunday obligation.

Province of Hartford (Archdiocese of Hartford, Dioceses of Bridgeport, Norwich, Providence): 

The Archdiocese of Hartford has suspended all public Masses until April.

The Diocese of Providence has suspended all public Masses.

The Diocese of Bridgeport has suspended all public Masses.

In the Diocese of Norwich, "those who are elderly or considered vulnerable (over 60 years of age or those who have chronic illnesses, immune system deficiencies or underlying health conditions), those who care for them, and their family members, the obligation to attend Sunday Mass is commuted," but must be replaced by a list of approved devotions, along with an act of spiritual communion.

Province of Indianapolis (Archdiocese of Indianapolis, Dioceses of Evansville, Fort Wayne-South Bend, Gary, Lafayette):

All public Masses in the state of Indiana are suspended.

Province of Kansas City (Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas, Dioceses of Dodge City, Salina, Wichita): 

All public Masses in the state of Kansas are suspended.

Province of Los Angeles (Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Dioceses of Fresno, Monterey, Orange, San Bernardino, San Diego): 

In the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Mass, all public Masses are suspended.

The Diocese of Monterey has dispensed all Catholics from their Sunday obligation.

The Diocese of Orange has suspended all public Masses.

The Diocese of San Bernardino has dispensed all Catholics of their Sunday obligation.

The Diocese of San Diego suspended all public Masses March 15.

The Diocese of Fresno has suspended public Masses.

Province of Louisville (Archdiocese of Louisville, Dioceses of Covington, Knoxville, Lexington, Memphis, Nashville, Owensboro): 

In the Archdiocese of Louisville, public Masses are suspended.

The Diocese of Lexington has suspended all public Masses.

The Diocese of Owensboro has suspended all public Masses.

The Diocese of Memphis has suspended public Masses until further notice.

The Diocese of Nashville dispensed from their Sunday obligation Catholics who are sick or symptomatic of sickness, those vulnerable to viral infection, and any others who judge themselves to be at risk because of the global health pandemic.

The Diocese of Owensbro dispensed the Sunday obligation for all Catholics.

In the Diocese of Knoxville, all Catholics are dispensed from their Sunday obligation.

Province of Miami (Archdiocese of Miami, Dioceses of Orlando, Palm Beach, Pensacola-Tallahassee, St. Augustine, St. Petersburg, Venice): 

The Archdiocese of Miami has on March 13 dispensed all Catholics from the obligation to attend Mass. Archdiocesan schools will close on March 17 until further notice.

Bishop Gregory Parkes of St. Petersburg on March 13 dispensed all Catholics from the obligation to attend Mass.

Bishop Franke Dewane of Venice in Florida has dispensed "from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass … all the Catholic Faithful until further notice."

The Diocese of Orlando has dispensed from their Sunday obligation those who are sick and their caretakers, those who "because of age or infirmity are at greater risk of contracting diseases," and "those who have been exposed to Coronavirus because of travel or other circumstances."

In the Diocese of Pensacole-Tallahassee, Catholics who are sick, their caretakers, and all at risk of infection are dispensed from their Sunday obligation.

The Diocese of St. Augustine has dispensed all Catholics from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass until the end of March.

Province of Milwaukee (Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Dioceses of Green Bay, La Crosse, Madison, Superior): 

Public Masses in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee have been suspended.

The Diocese of Madison has suspended public Masses.

Mass will continue to be celebrated in the Diocese of Green Bay, but all Catholics are dispensed from the obligation to attend Mass until the end of March.

The Diocese of La Crosse has suspended public Masses, effective March 20.

Province of Mobile (Archdiocese of Mobile, Dioceses of Biloxi, Birmingham, Jackson):

Archbishop Thomas Rodi of Mobile wrote March 17 that through April 5 "parish and school activities and meetings are cancelled. This includes all worship services. No member of the laity or clergy may conduct a worship service or a devotion of any kind in a church, or other location. I am strongly requesting that our churches remain open for prayer but without services."

The Diocese of Jackson has dispensed all Catholics from attending Mass “until further notice.”

In the Diocese of Biloxi, Catholic schools are closed.

The Diocese of Birmingham has suspended public Masses.

Province of New Orleans (Archdiocese of New Orleans, Dioceses of Alexandria La., Baton Rouge, Houma-Thibodaux, Lafayette La., Lake Charles, Shreveport): 

In the Archdiocese of New Orleans, public Masses are suspended.

In the Diocese of Baton Rouge, public Masses are suspended.

The Diocese of Alexandria dispensed the Sunday obligation for all Catholics.

The Diocese of Lafayette, La., has suspended public Masses.

The Diocese of Lake Charles has suspended public Masses.

The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux has suspended public Masses.

The Diocese of Shreveport has suspended all public Masses.

Province of New York (Archdiocese of New York, Dioceses of Albany, Brooklyn, Buffalo, Ogdensburg, Rochester, Rockville Centre, Syracuse): 

The Archdiocese of New York has suspended public Masses. Churches will remain open for private prayer. Elementary schools in the archdiocese of New York are closed.

In the Diocese of Brooklyn all public Masses are suspended until further notice.

The Diocese of Albany suspended public Masses.

The Diocese of Buffalo suspended public Masses.

The Diocese of Syracuse dispensed the Sunday obligation for all Catholics.

The Diocese of Rockville Centre suspended public Masses.

The Diocese of Rochester has suspended public Masses and closed schools through the end of March.

In the Diocese of Ogdensburg, all public Masses are suspended.

Province of Newark (Archdiocese of Newark, Dioceses of Camden, Metuchen, Paterson, Trenton): 

Public Masses in the Archdiocese of Newark have been suspended.

The Diocese of Metuchen has suspended public Masses.

The Diocese of Trenton has suspended all public Masses.

The Diocese of Camden has suspended public Masses.

The Diocese of Paterson has suspended all public Masses.

Province of Oklahoma City (Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, Dioceses of Little Rock, Tulsa) : 

The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City has suspended public Masses.

The Diocese of Little Rock will suspend all public Masses from the weekend of March 21-22, “except for small groups at the discretion of the priest.” Churches will remain open during daylight hours with Eucharistic Adoration. 

Bishop David Konderla of Tulsa said March 13 that "those who are sick with a contagious disease or caring for someone who is sick are dispensed from their obligation to attend Mass. In addition, those who feel vulnerable to infections due to age, illnesses, or other
reasonable factors may abstain from public participation in the Mass."

Province of Omaha (Archdiocese of Omaha, Dioceses of Grand Island, Lincoln): 

The Archdiocese of Omaha has suspended public Masses.

The Diocese of Lincoln has suspended public Masses.

The Diocese of Grand Island on March 13 dispensed all Catholics from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass.

Province of Philadelphia (Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Dioceses of Allentown, Altoona-Johnstown, Erie, Greensburg, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Scranton): 

The bishops of Pennsylvania have dispensed all Catholics in the state from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass.

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has suspended all public Masses.

The Diocese of Pittsburgh has suspended all public Masses, and closed Catholic schools and religious education programs through the month of March.

The Diocese of Harrisburg has suspended all public Masses.

The Diocese of Greensburg has suspended all public Masses.

The Diocese of Allentown has suspended all public Masses.

The Diocese of Scranton has suspended all public Masses.

Province of Portland in Oregon (Archdiocese of Portland, Dioceses of Baker, Boise, Great Falls-Billings, Helena): 

The Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon has suspended public Masses.

The Diocese of Baker suspended public Masses.

The Diocese of Great Falls-Billings has suspended public Masses.

The Diocese of Helena has dispensed Catholics from their Sunday obligation.

Province of St. Louis (Archdiocese of St. Louis, Dioceses of Jefferson City, Kansas City-St. Joseph, Springfield-Cape Girardeau): 

The Archdiocese of St. Louis has suspended public Masses.

In the Diocese of Jefferson City, public Masses are suspended.

In the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, public Masses are suspended.

"A general dispensation is offered to anyone in the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau who does not want to take the risk of attending Mass, regardless of age."

Province of St. Paul and Minneapolis (Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis, Dioceses of Bismarck, Crookston, Duluth, Fargo, New Ulm, Rapid City, Saint Cloud, Sioux Falls, Winona): 

The Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis issued a statement saying “Archbishop Hebda has dispensed the faithful of this Archdiocese from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass. Mass will, however, continue to be celebrated in our parishes as regularly scheduled.” 

The Diocese of New Ulm has dispensed Catholics from the obligation of attending Mass through the month of March.

The Diocese of Winona-Rochester has dispensed Catholics from the obligation of attending Mass through April 6.

The Diocese of St. Cloud has dispensed Catholics from the obligation of attending Mass.

The Diocese of Crookston has dispensed Catholics from their Sunday obligation throughout the month of March.

The Diocese of Duluth has dispensed Catholics from their Sunday obligation throughout the month of March.

The Diocese of Rapid City has dispensed Catholics from their Sunday obligation.

The Diocese of Sioux Falls has dispensed Catholics from their Sunday obligation.

Province of San Antonio (Archdiocese of San Antonio, Dioceses of Amarillo, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Laredo, Lubbock, San Angelo): 

In the Archdiocese of San Antonio public Masses are suspended.

The Diocese of Dallas has suspended public Masses until March 30.

In the Diocese of Fort Worth, Catholics who are sick, symptomatic, or vulnerable to illness are dispensed from their Sunday obligation, along with their caretakers. Pastors are instructed to ensure Mass attendance does not exceed 250 people, and to add additional Masses if needed.

In the Diocese of Lubbock, Catholics over 60, those with chronic medical conditions or compromised immune systems, those who are pregant, and caretakers of the sick are dispensed from their Sunday obligation.

Province of San Francisco (Archdiocese of San Francisco, Dioceses of Honolulu, Las Vegas, Oakland, Reno, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Jose, Santa Rosa, Stockton): 

The Archdiocese of San Francisco has suspended public Masses, in response to a "shelter in place" order impacting much of the Bay Area.

The Diocese of Oakland has suspended all public Masses.

The Diocese of Santa Rosa has dispensed all Catholics from the obligation of attending Mass.

The Diocese of Salt Lake City has suspended all public Masses.

The Diocese of San Jose has suspended all public Masses.

The Diocese of Honolulu has suspended public Masses.

The Diocese of Las Vegas has suspended public Masses through at least Palm Sunday.

The Diocese of Sacramento has dispensed Catholics from their Sunday obligation.

In the Diocese of Stockton, all Catholics are dispensed from their Sunday obligation.

The Diocese of Reno has dispensed Catholics from their Sunday obligation.

Province of Santa Fe (Archdiocese of Santa Fe, Dioceses of Gallup, Las Cruces, Phoenix, and Tucson): 

All churches and schools are closed in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe until further notice. 

The Diocese of Phoenix has suspended public Masses.

The Diocese of Las Cruces has suspended public Masses.

The Diocese of Tucson has dispensed Catholics from their Sunday obligation.

Bishop James Wall of Gallup "has dispensed the faithful of the Diocese of Gallup from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass … effective immediately, and until further notice."

The diocese added that "all regularly scheduled Masses will remain open to the public for those who wish to attend." It added that "pastors of large parishes should discern the option to increase the number of celebrations of the Mass over a weekend. The purpose would be to distribute the attendance over more Masses, if this is possible. The current goal advised by New Mexico authorities is to keep the number of persons gathered under 100. Our continued worship of God and prayers are part of an effective response to the coronavirus that threatens us."

Catholic schools in the New Mexican portion of the Diocese of Gallup will be closed for at least three weeks. Schools in Arizona are closed through March 27.

Province of Seattle (Archdiocese of Seattle, Dioceses of Spokane, Yakima): 

The Archdiocese of Seattle has canceled all public Masses and closed Catholic schools. 

The Diocese of Spokane has dispensed all Catholics of the diocese from their Sunday obligation through March 29. This applies to those travelling to other places, and those visiting the diocese.

In the Diocese of Yakima, public Masses have been suspended.

Province of Washington (Archdiocese of Washington, Diocese of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands): 

All Catholic schools are closed and the celebration of public Masses has been suspended in the Archdiocese of Washington.