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March 12, 2020Due to the continued increase in the number of cases of flu and because of concerns regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19), Archbishop Paul Coakley has implemented the following temporary precautions for churches in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City:
- Parishioners who are sick or experiencing symptoms, should stay home. Catholics are not bound by the obligation to attend Mass, including on Sunday, if they are ill. Out of charity to others, individuals who are sick with infectious illnesses should not attend Mass or other liturgical events;
- Temporarily discontinue the distribution of the Precious Blood at Mass;
- Discourage the holding of hands during Mass, including shaking hands during the Sign of Peace;
- Where permitted, please strongly consider receiving Communion in the hand rather than on the tongue. Receiving communion on the tongue may expose the hands of priests, deacons or Extraordinary Ministers of Communion to saliva, which can be passed to other parishioners. When Mass is celebrated in the Extraordinary Form, reception of Communion in the hand is not an authorized option and receiving on the tongue will continue.
The archdiocese will alter these directives as needed. Please continue to pray for all who are sick and families affected by these illnesses.
Most Rev. Paul S. Coakley
Archbishop of Oklahoma City
