How dioceses are tackling 2019 Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19)

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I am interested in the measures being taken regarding Covid-19 in various dioceses and Conferences of Catholic Bishops.

The Archdiocese of Singapore guidelines include:

“3. Holy Communion is to be received only on the hand till further notice. Holy Communion from the Chalice is to be suspended till further notice.
4. Holy water will not be available in fonts at entrance of churches as this could be a vehicle for infection. As an alternative to holy water fonts, parishes may use the rite of sprinkling of holy water in the beginning of the Mass.
5. Alcohol hand sanitizers may be made available near entrances of churches and confessionals.
6. Avoid holding of hands during Mass. It is also to be noted that the holding of hands during the Lord’s Prayer during Mass is not consistent with Liturgical laws.
7. All Masses are to be recited, rather than sung. There is to be no singing, be it of hymns, propers, or ordinaries. This would shorten the duration of Mass, and also reduce the production of respiratory droplets that occurs during singing.
8. Missals, hymnals and other “high touch” items are not to be distributed at Mass, to reduce the risk of contamination of shared items. Individuals who bring their own missals to church may continue using them.”

(From https://www.catholic.sg/coronavirus/ ).

A measure in Paris is that Concelebrants receive the Precious Blood by intinction, instead of drinking from the chalice.
 
In our diocese we are having communion only under the species of bread, and we are not shaking hands at the peace. And it’s being emphasized that if you are sick, you’re excused from mass and please stay home. But honestly we put this in the bulletin every year during flu season.

I was in Atlanta this weekend, not my home diocese, and the instructions were the same as above with the addition of people being asked to reconsider communion on the tongue (not required to receive in the hand).
 
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1ke said:
In our diocese we are having communion only under the species of bread, and we are not shaking hands at the peace. And it’s being emphasized that if you are sick, you’re excused from mass and please stay home. But honestly we put this in the bulletin every year during flu season.
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Same here in Houston.
 
So far, no Precious Blood distributed and no Sign of Peace.
An announcement about staying home if you’re sick hasn’t been made yet.
 
The Archbishop has asked the following, effective Sunday Saturday 29 February:
  • No direct physical contact of any kind. (Cheek-kissing is a common greeting here; we have been asked not to do this, among other things)
  • Wash hands thoroughly before and after Communion
  • Offer CITH and refuse COTT (I doubt the ICRSS will agree to this, but they do not answer to the Archbishop anyway [pontifical right])
  • Do not offer the Precious Blood to the congregation
  • Concelebrants communicate via intinction
  • Sign of peace by gesture only (no handshaking or other physical contact)
  • Empty the stoups
These are officially requests, but I have a difficult time believing they are not in fact orders.

Ordinarily we don’t suspend COTT for flu season, so doing so for COVID-19 is an exceptional measure.
 
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From our Bishop today:

Stay home if you have flu like symptoms or fever

No Chalice
No COTT (with an exemption for EF Masses)
No shaking hands at the sign of peace, suggested people bow
No holding hands at the Our Father.
 
My priest didn’t mention COTT. They did at the height of the swine flu, but that was a different pastor.

I’ve considered going back to recieving in the hand for everyone’s sake once the virus gets here. (Its possible it is already in my city. No social media for lent has really kept me under a rock).
 
COTT Communion on the tongue
CITT Communion in the hand
EF Extraordinary Form Mass or Traditional Latin Mass
 
In my diocese no distribution of the Precious Blood and no shaking hands during the sign of peace
 
1ke said:
In our diocese we are having communion only under the species of bread, and we are not shaking hands at the peace. And it’s being emphasized that if you are sick, you’re excused from mass and please stay home.
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The bishop of my diocese just implemented these measures today, effective immediately.
 
Here in western NY, no changes have been made at the diocesan level. I asked someone who works for our parish if anything’s going to be changed and they’re going to run the usual “use your best discretion” announcement in the bulletin that runs each flu season. She said they don’t want to panic anyone.
 
1Lord1Faith said:
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gracepoole:
She said they don’t want to panic anyone.
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It seems a little late for that. IDK why so many people are freaking out about this virus. It doesn’t even compare to a regular seasonal flu.
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I can understand those who are “freaking” because their children’s schools may close and they can’t take sick time to be home with them. Or the people who can’t afford to miss a day of work due to a quarantine. Or the people who can’t “stock up” on necessary medicines, either because they can’t afford to or their insurance won’t permit this.
 
I can too, because none of that crazy stuff needs to be done.
 
Interesting about singing, hymnals and missals, high touch items. What about passing the offering basket?
 
But a dozen schools in Washington have been closed. That’s a very small number. But how often do schools close because of the flu? And what of those parents who can’t afford childcare?
 
My archdiocese has suggested against communion on the tongue.

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Business as usual at our parish, and haven’t heard about any change from the archdiocese. Handshaking allowed, and communion offered in both species.
 
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Gorgias said:
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1ke:
In our diocese we are having communion only under the species of bread, and we are not shaking hands at the peace. And it’s being emphasized that if you are sick, you’re excused from mass and please stay home.
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The bishop of my diocese just implemented these measures today, effective immediately.
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Likewise

ETA: I forgot: We have also been directed to drain and clean the holy water fonts at least weekly.
 
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