The Archdiocese of Saint Paul-Minneapolis announced Wednesday the suspension of all public masses due to COVID-19 concerns.
In a YouTube video, Archbishop Bernard Hebda said the suspenion comes at the recommendation of local and state officials.
"Having learned that an active parish priest in another U.S. diocese has tested positive for the virus – unknowingly putting his parish at risk prior to the manifestation of any symptoms – I have made the difficult decision to suspend all regularly scheduled public celebrations of Mass in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul Minneapolis, effective immediately," Hebda said.
The suspension of masses in the Twin Cities will be reevaluated in two weeks.
"It pains my heart to have to make this decision since I know how many of you deeply love the Mass as I do," Hebda said.
Limited exceptions could be made during this time if a funeral or wedding mass is needed, Hebda said. Those meetings would require that no more than 10 people attend and those people would have to be six feet apart.
Priests are offering remote masses either online, television, or the radio.
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