Kansas City Catholic church leaders suspend public Masses as coronavirus reports grow
The Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph said Monday that all public Masses are suspended as the novel coronavirus continues to spread throughout the region.
Public masses are suspended until at least April 3, according to an update posted to the Diocese website.
The priest and at least one other minister who doesn’t show symptoms will continue to celebrate Mass and have been encouraged to live-stream Masses, according to the update.
Devotional gatherings, such as Bible study groups, are also suspended.
Other church events, like baptisms, funerals and simple weddings, can still be celebrated but with attendance limited to immediate family. Public weddings should be rescheduled, the church recommends.
During Holy Week, which is from April 5 to April 11, worship can be recorded with the priest and at least one minister. The Easter Vigil could be celebrated by only those preparing for confirmation, their sponsors, immediate family and initiation team members. It could also be postponed.
Churches will stay open for personal and household prayer, devotions and confessions, according to the update.
On the Kansas side, the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas said last week that practicing Catholics are not required to attend Sunday Mass, and those who are sick or who have been exposed should stay home. Mass has not been suspended.
Six cases of the disease have been reported in Missouri. None of those cases have been in Kansas City. Eleven people in Kansas have tested positive on a preliminary basis.
This story was originally published March 16, 2020 at 1:12 PM with the headline "Kansas City Catholic church leaders suspend public Masses as coronavirus reports grow."
