Community Corner

Trenton Diocese Sets Guidelines For In-Car Masses

People who aren't feeling well or are in a high-risk category should still not attend public mass, the diocese says.

Worshippers celebrate Easter at a drive-in "car church" in Yucca Valley, California. The Trenton Diocese approves of Governor Phil Murphy's recent decision to allow drive-in religious services.
Worshippers celebrate Easter at a drive-in "car church" in Yucca Valley, California. The Trenton Diocese approves of Governor Phil Murphy's recent decision to allow drive-in religious services. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

TRENTON, NJ — The Trenton Diocese approves of Governor Phil Murphy's directive to allow in-car religious services. The Diocese provided directives Friday for outdoor, drive-in services during the coronavirus pandemic.

Worshippers should still stay at home if they have a COVID-19 diagnosis, show symptoms, don't feel well or fall in a high-risk category, says Bishop David M. O’Connell.

He also says churches should continue to live stream masses, which many have done since Governor Phil Murphy's orders that ban public gatherings. Murphy said Wednesday that drive-in religious services no longer violate his order against mass gatherings.

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New Jersey dioceses have offered directives for how to perform these services.

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"Such Masses are experimental and should be discontinued if impractical or undignified," O'Connell said in a statement.


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The State order requires that cars within 6 feet apart must keep their windows closed. The Post-Pandemic Parish Task Force for Pastors presented several additional guidelines for parishes in the Trenton Diocese, including the following:

  • Pastors should only consider offering an outdoor, "in-car" mass if it can be done in a safe, dignified manner.
  • Parishes can offer one outdoor mass on Sunday and perform weekday mass at the pastor's discretion.
  • Not all pastors or parishes are required to provide an outdoor mass. Live streams should continue where currently practiced.
  • Pastors should plan the safest manner for distribution of Holy Communion. The pastor will determine the best manner for taking up the collection.

The Trenton Diocese's territory includes Burlington, Monmouth, Ocean and Mercer Counties.


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