Bishop David Zubik Eases Limits on Attendance for Masses in the Diocese of Pittsburgh

50% Maximum Capacity Now Allowed, Health and Safety Protocols Remain in Effect

Parishes in the Diocese of Pittsburgh will be allowed to increase attendance at Masses to 50% maximum capacity at each Mass effective this weekend, October 3-4, 2020. 

All health and safety protocols, including mask-wearing, social distancing of at least 6 feet, and cleaning and sanitizing procedures must still be followed. As with previous directives, it will be up to individual pastors to determine their own safe reopening plans based on their particular spaces, resources, and staffing.

“People need Jesus now more than ever.  We have been longing to be able to welcome more people home to celebrate Holy Mass and receive the Holy Eucharist,” Bishop David Zubik said. “After a challenging six months learning how to adjust to safe gathering and worship during the COVID-19 pandemic, our clergy and our parishioners are better equipped to be able to support larger groups for in-person worship.”

In addition, priests are encouraged to make arrangements to distribute the Body of Christ within the Mass (as opposed to the end of Mass if that has been the custom in the parish(es).  The COVID restrictions of not offering the Blood of Christ and of not sharing the sign of peace remain unchanged.  

The dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass remains in effect in our diocese and throughout Pennsylvania.  As such, those in vulnerable groups due to their health or age may make the decision to worship from home. To support those people, the diocese and many of its parishes are still livestreaming Masses.  A list of resources is available here, at the diocesan website https://diopitt.org/moving-forward-together.

Across the diocese, parishes are seeing a variety of situations regarding Mass attendance amid the pandemic.  Some share lower than normal numbers, others say they’ve been as full as allowable and have been waiting to be able to let more people in. 

“I appreciate and respect that everyone is in a different place with how comfortable they feel about venturing out, especially to our churches.  We continue to create and maintain as many opportunities as possible to satisfy the spiritual hunger of our people,” Bishop Zubik said.