The Diocese of Pittsburgh has announced the gradual reopening of churches starting immediately. Bishop David Zubik said that Allegheny, Butler, Greene, and Washington counties join Lawrence county in moving to the state’s “yellow” level of reopening and Beaver county remains in “red” until further notice, with the strictest stay-at-home orders still in place. The Commonwealth will continually evaluate the reopening process and make necessary adjustments county-by-county, which means, our parishes throughout the diocese may be in different phases of reopening at any given time. Starting Friday, the first phase of the diocesan reopening plan for the counties in the state’s “yellow” level of reopening includes the following:
- Limited funeral Masses and weddings continue, with cleaning/sanitizing guidelines in place, expanding to groups of no more than 25 people.
- Churches will be permitted to open for private prayer with safety guidelines in place including seating in designated areas only, the use of masks, hand sanitizers, and social distancing.
- Churches will be permitted to open for Confessions – Confessionals do not meet public health safety requirements, and as such, Confessions will be heard at posted times and in a manner that preserves the sanctity of the Sacrament. Penitents must practice social distancing and all other safety guidelines.
- Baptisms can be scheduled but with the restriction of one family baptism per each ceremony and no more than 25 people present. Great care must be given to social distancing, wearing masks, and sanitization precautions.
- Livestream Masses and prayer services will continue.
Moving forward from this phase, the diocese will look to return to the public celebration of the Holy Mass, starting with daily Masses on Monday, June 1, 2020, and a goal of recommencing weekend Masses the weekend of June 6 and 7, 2020. More details will be released closer to those dates.