LISTEN: Bishop Daniel Thomas Talks About Diocese-wide Cancellation Of Mass

As a result of the #COVID19 pandemic, Catholics in Ohio find themselves unable to attend Mass or receive the Sacraments. Bishop Daniel Thomas explains on The Scott Sands Show -- click here to listen on our free iHeartRadio app. Here's the letter issued by the Bishops of Ohio to Parishioners on Monday.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

After serious consideration of the grave health risk involved in public gatherings and in order to curb the spread of the Coronavirus, the bishops of Ohio have decided, effective immediately, to suspend temporarily all publicly celebrated Masses/liturgies, at least through the celebrations of Holy Week and Easter. The bishops of Ohio dispense the Catholic faithful who reside in their respective dioceses and all other Catholics currently in Ohio from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass through Easter Sunday.

This decision is not taken lightly and, as your bishops, causes us great sadness. However, after consultation with the governor and health officials we are convinced that this is the most prudent and necessary action.

Science has proven that participation in public gatherings significantly increases the risk of contagion. This poses a serious danger to those especially most vulnerable.

As Catholics, in every Sunday Mass we celebrate the passion, death and resurrection of our Lord. The Holy Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith. In this moment, we are experiencing in a unique way the passion of our Lord as this pandemic prevents us from gathering for the Sunday Eucharist. In this very difficult time, we encourage the faithful to turn to the Church's treasury of prayer. Sunday remains a holy day, and we encourage the faithful to pray using the rich resources of our faith, including praying as a family or individually the rosary, divine mercy chaplet, the Liturgy of the Hours, stations of the cross, etc. We also urge you to participate in prayer by way of radio broadcast or televised or live-streamed Mass and make a spiritual communion.

Please join us in praying for all who are suffering from illness or disease of any kind, for all health care workers, and for an easing of the anxiety and tension caused by this situation. Relying on the Motherly care of Our Lady, we unite our sufferings to those of Our Lord Jesus Christ, who is our healing and our hope.

Most Rev. Dennis M. Schnurr

Chairman

Catholic Conference of Ohio

Archbishop of Cincinnati

Most Rev. Joseph R. Binzer

Auxiliary Bishop

Archdiocese of Cincinnati

Most Rev. Robert J. Brennan

Bishop of Columbus                           

Most Rev. Jeffrey M. Monforton

Bishop of Steubenville                        

Most Rev. George V. Murry, S.J.

Bishop of Youngstown

Rev. Donald P. Oleksiak

Diocesan Administrator of Cleveland

Most Rev. Daniel E. Thomas

Bishop of Toledo                


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