CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - The leader of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte has announced a temporary halt to some traditional practices at Mass over concerns about the coronavirus.
Bishop Peter Jugis sent a letter asking all priests and lay people who distribute communion to wash their hands before Mass begins, The Charlotte Observer reported on Tuesday.
“As a further precaution they may clean their hands again by using an alcohol-based anti-bacterial solution before distributing Holy Communion,” Jugis wrote in the letter, which went out last Friday.
During communion, Catholics receive a sacramental wafer and can also sip sacramental wine from a chalice.
Jugis “strongly” encouraged monsignors and priests not to allow parishioners to shake hands with each other during a portion of the Mass called the Sign of Peace, He also encouraged priests to let parishioners know they are “legitimately excused” from Mass if they show symptoms or suspect they have been exposed to the virus.
“While the U.S. has experienced minimal coronavirus cases to date, I ask you to exercise special precautions during the celebration of the Mass and implement protocols at parish functions to minimize the potential for coronavirus and flu spread and to educate on how to avoid exposure,” Jugis wrote.
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