Churches permitted to use 25% capacity for Masses

By Peter Finney Jr.

Taking steps toward allowing more people to practice their faith publicly, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards opened the door May 11 for churches in the state to offer worship services with congregations of up to 25% of their seating capacities, beginning Friday, May 15.

A day later, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced slightly stricter reopening guidelines for Orleans Parish churches, which she said would take effect on Saturday, May 16.

Cap of 100 in N.O. churches
While agreeing with the state’s 25% capacity requirement, the city of New Orleans’s guidelines cap the congregation size at 100. Cantrell also said during this first phase of reopening, all churchgoers would be required to wear facemasks.

“This was a hard one,” Cantrell said May 12 during a town hall meeting on WBOK 1230-AM. “I say this is hard because churches are in the high-risk category. But because we know that our spiritual nourishment is so important and vital in the city and among the people, we will allow churches to open, but at 25% capacity and capped at 100 (people), whichever is smaller.”

Cantrell said she set the 100-person limit because some megachurches in the city can seat 3,500 people, “and if you said 25%, that would still be hundreds.”

For the last two months due to precautions against the spread of the coronavirus, only 10 people could attend Mass in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. 

In a memo to priests of the archdiocese, Archbishop Gregory Aymond made it clear that the people of the archdiocese are “dispensed from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass,” and he urged anyone who feels “vulnerable” or “sick” to stay home.

Baptism, funeral guidance
The 25% occupancy guidelines for Mass, the archbishop said, applies also to baptisms, weddings, funerals and receiving candidates who are to enter the church. This number will increase gradually. He said first Communions – which frequently are celebrated in May – could be celebrated with 25% occupancy at a Sunday or a weekday Mass.

He also said that for those Catholics “who feel obliged to fulfill the Sunday obligation, a weekday Mass could accomplish this.” The archbishop advised pastors that they could add Vigil Masses, Sunday or weekday Masses “to accommodate more people.”

He urged parishes to have ushers do their best to enforce the 25% occupancy rule, and he suggested that parishes designate a specific Mass for elderly parishioners who are in good health.

While family members may sit in the same pew, the archbishop asked that parishioners practice social distancing by staying at least six feet apart from others who are not family members. Some parishes might achieve that by designating pews for Massgoers to sit. He encouraged the wearing of facemasks.

People receiving Communion also should adhere to the six-foot rule, he said, and Communion will not be offered in the form of the Precious Blood. Communion on the tongue is “not encouraged but permitted,” he said.

In his memo to priests, the archbishop asked that holy water fonts be emptied and ensure that all ministers, both clergy and lay, practice proper hygiene of their hands. Priests, deacons and extraordinary ministers of holy Communion are expected to wear a mask at Communion and distribute Communion “with no bodily contact. Gently let the host touch the person’s hand and drop it in their hand without touching them,” he said.

The archbishop said the sign of peace could be given by bowing to the other person. As people depart from Mass, social distancing must be observed.

Outdoor Masses may be celebrated and there is no maximum number of attendees, but the six-foot rule of social distancing must be observed.

Peter Finney Jr. can be reached at [email protected].