DETROIT (WWJ) The Archdiocese of Detroit has updated its COVID-19 liturgical protocols.
Archbishop Allen Vigneron wrote about the updates in a letter to the faithful.
He announced masks and social distancing will no longer be required at local Catholic churches for the fully vaccinated, but they may still do so if they prefer.
Those who have not been fully vaccinated will still be required to wear masks and social distance.
“Because a parish community – and our society – requires mutual trust and a commitment to the common good, each individual is asked to make the best decisions for himself as well as for others. Parishes do not have the responsibility to verify who is and who is not vaccinated,” a press release from the Archdiocese of Detroit read.
The Sign of Peace can also resume its normal wording: “’Offerte vobis pacem / Let us offer each other the sign of peace,’ allowing parishioners and families to make their own determinations about how widely to share some sign of peace.”
Vigneron said the general dispensation (or exemption) from attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days expired on March 13. However, he is giving dispensations for people in certain situations.
“Considering the grave obligation we have of being physically present with our brothers and sisters at Mass on Sunday and Holy Days of Obligation for the Eucharist, each of us is asked to make a good and sincere judgement as to whether these circumstances apply or not,” the release read.
The faithful are asked to use dispensation and not attend Mass if:
-They are ill or have a pre-existing/underlying condition that would compromise their outcome if they caught COVID-19 or another virus.
-They have flu-like or COVID-19 like symptoms
-They were in recent contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 or influenza.
The faithful will also receive dispensation in the following circumstances, and can leave it up to their discretion to attend Mass:
-They care for the sick, homebound, or infirm.
-They are pregnant.
-They are 65 years of age or older (per the CDC’s recommendation of high-risk individuals).
-They cannot attend Mass through no fault of their own (e.g., no Mass is offered, are infirm, or, while wanting to go, they are prevented for some reason they cannot control (e.g., a ride did not show up, the church was at capacity).
-If they have significant fear or anxiety of becoming ill by being at Mass.
Those who cannot attend mass are still encouraged to participate in prayer on Sunday and Holy Days, the Archdiocese of Detroit said in its updated guidance.
The Sunday mass will be broadcast.
They added they will continue to review these dispensation categories and update them as more information becomes available. Those with questions should reach out to their priest.