HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC Radio)—The Archdiocese of Hartford has issued new guidelines for Masses along with an announcement concerning the return to 100% capacity and the end of using COVID-19 as an excuse to skip Mass for parishioners.
Hartford Archbishop Leonard Blair says the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass of Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation will expire on Saturday, May 22.
"We do ask that people come back to church for Mass," says Archbishop Blair, "but we also make it very clear that if they have any health concerns, and even if they have really sincere fear because of COVID, still, for their own well-being, that they shouldn't feel obliged to come."
The dispensation was first issued in March 2020 and was extended several more times throughout the pandemic "out of an abundance of caution for parishioners and clergy alike," officials wrote.
The most recent extension was issued through May 22, 2021. That extension will not be renewed, according to Blair. The Dioceses of Bridgeport and Norwich will be doing the same.
Also, starting Wednesday, May 19, parishes within the Archdiocese of Hartford can reopen to 100% capacity and return to pre-COVID-19 procedures with certain exceptions.
In recent weeks, Blair says things have been gradually getting back to near-normal in the archdiocese. "During Holy Week, when we were able at the cathedral, which is very large," he says, "to have all of our priests present, or most of them, distanced, I told them how happy I was to see all of them. We hadn't been together with the priests of the archdiocese in a long time."
Masks are still required for all who enter the church and procedures for distributing Holy Communion will remain in place. Pew barriers and other signage that was used to direct the flow of traffic in aisles can be removed, officials said. Also, choirs, musicians and congregational singing with masks can be reintroduced by the pastor.
The full guidelines can be found on the Archdiocese of Hartford website.