Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh updates safety guidelines amid rise in covid cases

As the number of new covid-19 cases continue to rise across the region, the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh is updating safety guidelines for those attending Mass.

In a news release posted Friday afternoon, Bishop David Zubik urged everyone to get vaccinated and to wear face masks when indoors with others. All ministers, ushers, greeters and servers now must wear face masks when engaging in their ministries, regardless of their vaccination status, effective immediately.

“Even those who have been vaccinated can carry and spread the virus, but research continues to show that masking provides significant protection for you and those with whom you interact. In the words of Pope Francis, vaccination and masking are ‘acts of charity,’” Zubik said in the news release.

In addition, outdoor Masses, originally scheduled to end Sept. 1, may also continue until further notice.

It was not immediately clear if similar changes would be made in the Catholic Diocese of Greensburg.

Changes in safety protocols came after Zubik on Friday met virtually with all the Catholic bishops of Pennsylvania, and signed a joint statement about covid-related safety.

“It is now evident that this global health crisis could linger for months or years to come. Our call as shepherds is to provide the Eucharist in a safe environment,” the statement reads. “To that end, each diocesan bishop will communicate to the faithful, asking them to prioritize their own health and the health of their neighbors and faith communities.”

The changes also came almost a month after bishops across the state said that Catholics will again be required to attend Mass starting Aug. 15. That requirement remains, however, exemptions are given to those who are sick, at-risk, are caregivers or for those with concerns about being in a crowd because of covid-19.

Zubik noted that given the rapidly changing dynamics of the virus, policies could change based on county, state and federal guidelines.

“For us as members of the Church of Pittsburgh, any response to covid must be guided by the Catholic social principles of solidarity and the common good,” Zubik said in the release. “It is impossible in these circumstances to make decisions that affect one person alone. Covid affects the whole community, so we must act with the whole community in mind.”