Archdiocese Of Hartford Will Reopen Churches Jun. 8

HARTFORD, CT — The Archdiocese of Hartford has announced its plans to reopen churches for weekday Masses, beginning June 8.

No indication was given about restarting Mass celebrations on Sundays.

The dispensation from the Sunday Mass obligation previously granted to all Catholics of the archdiocese by Archbishop Leonard Blair has been extended through Sept. 6. The dispensation will remain in effect even when the public celebration of Sunday Mass resumes, "hopefully in the very near future," archdiocese officials said in a news release.

Archbishop Blair is also lifting the ban on any publicly scheduled confessions, effective June 8.

The state will continue to recommend assemblies be restricted to 50 people or less until at least June 20, and the archdiocese has provided pastors with guidelines for compliance.

"While many churches can accommodate a congregation of 50 socially distanced people, those churches that cannot will have to limit participation accordingly," officials said. "If a parish has more than one church, serious consideration should be given to start by only opening one church, so that the parish can concentrate on having Mass safely in that one place."

The move by the archdiocese comes in the wake of President Trump assessing houses of worship as essential. On Tuesday, Gov. Ned Lamont that, although he had never issued an order closing churches in Connecticut, he was gratified that area archbishops chose to comply with social distancing recommendations. The governor said will come out with new protocols and recommendations "soon" regarding how churches and houses should expand their services to accommodate more of their congregations.

The archdiocese is recommending pastors continue to provide live-streaming and videos of their Mass celebrations, so that those who cannot attend will be able to participate "and remain connected with the parish."

The complete guidelines from the Archdioceses of Hartford on reopening churches are online here.