Fully vaccinated parishioners can shed masks in Pittsburgh Diocese churches

The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh announced Friday that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask in church.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, fully vaccinated is defined as being two weeks after a second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after a single-dose of the Johnson & Johnson shot.

People who don’t meet those requirements are not considered fully vaccinated.

Churches will maintain dedicated mask wearing sections for parishioners who are not vaccinated or those who feel more comfortable with masks.

Janet and Dan Primm of Pittsburgh’s Greenfield neighborhood have attended Mass during the pandemic at St. Rosalia Church in Greenfield. Janet Primm said she’s ready to ditch her mask.

“This is great,” she said. “You can’t understand the priest at times with the masks. And we can sing again, and you will be able to hear our voices.”

The couple said church is an important part of their lives. Both are fully vaccinated.

Dan Primm said he doesn’t think there needs to be a separate section for non-vaccinated people.

“If you are nervous then wear your mask,” he said. “Because this will be done on the honor system, so you don’t really know how has been vaccinated. And there is still Mass you can watch on television.

“I prefer to be in the church and I will be comfortable going without wearing a mask. But I understand some other people may not feel comfortable.”

On Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eased public health guidelines for mask wearing, allowing people to safely stop wearing masks inside in most places as well as outdoors in crowds. The state Department of Health followed suit.

Priests, altar servers and Eucharistic ministers do not have to wears masks if they are fully vaccinated, said diocesan spokeswoman Jennifer Antkowiak.

She said altar wine and the sign of peace will not yet be offered.

Rev. John Skirtich, of Whitehall, pastor of Our Lady of Hope in the South Hills said while the lifting of the mask mandate for those fully vaccinated is certainly most welcome, he thinks there will be some period of adjustment for all involved.

“Patience and flexibility will continue to be important as we transition back to what we consider to be normal,” he said. “We must continue to be considerate of the fears and vulnerabilities of others in accommodating their concerns both at church and in the community.“

Capacity limits will remain until Memorial Day, the diocese said. At that time, all Diocese of Pittsburgh churches will be allowed to have 100% seating.

“As we have seen at several points throughout this pandemic, health guidance and directives can change rapidly,” said Bishop David Zubik in a statement. “I continue to express my gratitude for the flexibility of the faithful, and the hard work of our clergy and their parish teams in implementing the changing directives into our parishes. Our loving Lord has seen us through our masks and is here with and for us during this next transition.”