Greensburg diocese reinstates limited mask requirements

Responding to a surge in the coronavirus delta variant, the Catholic Diocese of Greensburg on Monday reinstated requirements that priests and church volunteers wear face masks indoors, regardless of whether they received their covid vaccination.

Those attending worship or indoor parish events are “strongly encouraged” to wear a mask as well, diocese officials said.

The new directive, which takes effect Friday in the four-county diocese, requires masks for church staff, as well as ministers of Holy Communion, ushers, greeters, servers, parish event volunteers working inside, faith formation leaders and catechists working indoors. Those parishioners visiting the sick or homebound, and any other indoor ministry, also must wear a mask. Lectors and cantors, however, may remove their masks while reading or singing.

“Each parishioner is strongly encouraged to make a responsible decision about the use of masks and vaccinations,” the diocese said.

Priests should wear masks when distributing Holy Communion and when in close proximity to others, the diocese said.

With the spread of the delta variant, Westmoreland has moved into the moderate level of community transmission of covid, based on the state guidelines.

In mid-May, the diocese lifted requirements for the fully vaccinated to wear a mask in church, but those not fully vaccinated were “strongly urged” to cover their faces. Parishes were told to post signs requesting the unvaccinated or those at risk, to continue to wear masks.

The Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese on Friday issued similar requirements for the masking of volunteers. Bishop David Zubik in May lifted masking requirements for those parishioners who were fully vaccinated, which followed Centers for Disease Control guidance at the time.

The new order requiring volunteers to wear masks and for parishioners to make a “responsible decision” about masking and vaccinations, comes as the diocese is reinstating the obligation to attend Mass in person on Sundays and holy days, beginning Aug. 15. The obligation to attend Mass, however, does not pertain to the sick, those with a serious health risk and members living in a household with those at risk. Those who have serious anxiety concerns about attending church in person during a time of surging covid, are not required to attend Mass in person.

The diocese said those who suspect they have covid or a variant, “as an act of charity … should stay home. “