Washington's Catholic bishops on reopening churches: Not until it is safe

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

The five Catholic bishops of Washington state, delivering a not-so-fast response to President Trump, said Friday night they will reopen churches to worship only "when it is safe and we are prepared to do so."

The President declared Friday that churches, synagogues and mosques are an "essential service," and virtually ordered state governors to see to their reopening "right now."

Wrote the Washington bishops: "We want to let you know that public celebration was suspended, not out of fear, but out of the deepest respect for human life and health. As disciples of Jesus, we are called on to be instruments of God's protection for the vulnerable and the public good.

"Our love of God and neighbor is always personal and not partisan. While we share the desire to bring people back to Mass as quickly as possible, we will wait to schedule our public worship when it is safe and we are prepared to do so."

Washington has already seen one tragedy at a place of worship. A COVID-19 "superspreader" unknowingly infected 52 people at a choir practice in a Mount Vernon church on March 10, leading to the deaths of two people. The choir practice took place 13 days before Gov. Jay Inslee issued his "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" order.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/washingtons-catholic-bishops-on-reopening-churches-not-until-it-is-safe/ar-BB14tZn3

[Thunderbeast]

1. I wish Pope Francis would weigh in on this!

An edict from the Vatican framed by his interpretation of "God's Willl" could save a lot of lives.

As an athiest, I know I have little standing on the issue, but church services are responsible for unnecessary spread of the virus. The reach of the carnage is far beyond the congregants expressing their rights. The unintended victims are the caregivers and their families.

How can it be moral to put so many others at risk?

In other news: Trump is an idiot.

[malaise]

3. Catholic services in Italy resumed on May 18

Religion is a business. That is all - just another atheist.

[Squinch]

2. Wow. Good for them!

[SCantiGOP]

4. A priest in SC

Said that he would re-open as soon as he got the memo from the Pope that Trump had been appointed Bishop of his diocese.

Gutsy comment that will probably piss off a few of his parishioners.

[Tanuki]

7. LOL...what a great retort!

[captain queeg]

5. I figured the Catholics would be more pragmatic

The evangelicals will drink the koolade.

[BrightKnight]

6. The Catholic Church closed before most Churches.

They closed before they were told to.

Regular attendance at Mass is more important to them than almost any other denomination. It has more to do with theology than anything else.

They have led by example and a lot of other Churches followed. I am disappointed that a few diocese have chosen to reopen. Clergy have died and members have become sick.

My Church has found creativity work around like delivering the Sacrament celebrating the Eucharist via Zoom. It is not a great solution but love your neighbor is not optional.