New directives for priests issued today by Archbishop Naumann

Updates on Triduum, Adoration Chapels, Confessions, Holy Oils

Dear Brothers:

Attached, please find a decree issued today by the Holy See through the Congregation for Divine Worship, explaining a few particulars for the celebration of the Paschal Triduum without a congregation of the faithful. This is sent simply to make you aware of the situation as it stands. Further directives from Archbishop Naumann applying specifically to the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas will be issued early next week, in plenty of time for your own preparation.

Additionally, effective 6am, March 21, 2020, the following directives by Archbishop Naumann are in place, and replace any previous directives regarding the same particular matters:

• All adoration chapels not previously closed should be closed immediately. Pastors are encouraged, to the extent possible, to have regular hours when the parish church is open for private visits and prayers before the Blessed Sacrament reserved in the tabernacle. However, at no time shall there be more than ten persons present in the church. Each person should keep proper social distance (minimum of six feet) from one another.

• Entrances to the church should be regularly sanitized, as often as possible.

• Confessions may only take place with proper social distancing (minimum of six feet) observed. The use of confessionals and reconciliation rooms is abrogated until further notice. Confessions should be done in an open space permitting a distance of at least six feet between confessor and penitent, and at no time may more than ten persons be permitted in the space used for confessions or for those in line for confession (i.e., parish church, vestibule, parish hall, etc.). In smaller churches, this may mean having penitents wait outside the church and entering only for confession one at a time. Penitents should be instructed to complete their penances outside of the church.

• If some manner of screen is used to facilitate confession anonymously, the penitent should stand; a kneeler should not be provided to prevent contact with common surfaces. A distance of at least six feet between penitent and confessor is to be maintained at all times.

• Confessions may be heard outside of the church building, in a variety of manners, provided proper social distancing as well as the secrecy of the penitent’s confession is secured.  One such example already practiced in some areas includes the church parking lot, the penitent remaining in his or her car, and the confessor seated in some manner at least six feet from the penitent’s window.  UPDATED, MARCH 27: Due to the remote possibility of the veil of secrecy of confession being pierced by potential hackers, cell phones (and other electronic means of communication such as Skype or Zoom) may NOT be used as a means for enhancing communication during confessions given at a distance.  Confessors should find alternate ways of enabling those who have difficulty hearing to offer their confessions and to receive their counsel and penance, proper social distancing being maintained at all times.  The Sacrament of Reconciliation must always be celebrated with the penitent physically present to the confessor.

• The annual Mass of Holy Chrism is postponed until a later date. Priests should conserve their stocks of oil as carefully as possible until new oils can be blessed and distributed. When in serious need, priests may bless their own oil of the sick, per Pastoral Care of the Sick (see “General Instruction” number 21 and “Anointing of the Sick Outside of Mass” number 123).

Thank you for all you are doing during this challenging time for the faithful under your pastoral care. Please continue to check email frequently for updates.

Statement of Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann

Regarding Cancellation of Public Masses in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas

In conjunction with the bishops of Kansas, effective 1 p.m. March 17, 2020, and until further notice, all public celebrations of the Holy Mass in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas are cancelled except for funeral Masses. Funeral Masses must be limited to no more than 50 people, including clergy, assisting ministers, family members and friends. No funeral luncheons may be held. A funeral liturgy outside of Mass must be limited in size as above. In addition to celebrating the funeral Mass or funeral liturgy outside of Mass, families and pastors are encouraged to schedule Memorial Masses for their loved ones in the future, when public health restrictions are relaxed, so that larger numbers may gather if desired.

All communal penance services are cancelled. Priests should continue as much as possible to offer individual confessions at regularly scheduled times, including Wednesday evenings during Lent. Confessions are to be heard only behind a screen or other barrier and not face to face. At no time should there be more than 50 people gathered in the church.

Baptisms may continue but only parents, godparents and immediate family members who are asymptomatic may attend, and in no case more than 50 people.

I encourage all of the faithful to continue to join together in prayer for the health and protection of our entire community and nation, and for an end to this crisis. I encourage all families and individuals to pray the rosary, invoking the intercession and protection of our Blessed Mother, Health of the Sick, for these intentions and for the health and well-being of our brothers and sisters who are ill, for their caretakers, and for all doctors, nurses, medical and emergency preparedness personnel and elected officials. I encourage pastors, as much as possible, to post hours that their churches will be open for private prayer with our Eucharistic Lord present in the tabernacle. At no time should there be more than 50 people gathered in the church.

Do not come to any of the above if you are sick, if you have been exposed to the coronavirus, if you suspect you have been exposed or if you have been advised by a doctor not to go out in public or attend public gatherings.

Statement of Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann Regarding Dispensation from the Obligation to Attend Sunday Mass

Effective immediately, and until further notice, I have dispensed the faithful of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass.

Despite the suspension of the obligation to attend Sunday Mass, all regularly scheduled Masses will remain open to the public for those who wish to attend. I encourage those who can attend Mass to do so and join together in prayer for the health and protection of our entire community and for an end to this crisis. In addition to attending Mass, if able, I encourage all families and individuals to pray the rosary, invoking the intercession and protection of our Blessed Mother, Health of the Sick, for these intentions and for the health and well-being of our brothers and sisters who are ill, for their caretakers, and for all doctors, nurses, medical and emergency preparedness personnel.

Do not come to Mass if you are sick, if you have been exposed to the coronavirus, if you suspect you have been exposed or if you have been advised by your doctor not to attend Mass.

• The faithful of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas are dispensed from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass
• All non-essential parish gatherings including formation activities are to be cancelled
• Not cancelled are regularly scheduled weekday and Sunday Masses, Funerals and Funeral Masses, and Baptisms
• Regularly scheduled individual confessions should continue, including Wednesday evening confessions
• All Confirmations scheduled through March 31 are postponed and will be rescheduled at a later date
• Pastors will decide for their own parish(es) on an individual basis whether to reschedule First Holy Communion Masses
• Holy Communion distributed on the tongue in the Ordinary Form of the Mass is hereby suspended.  This suspension does not apply to Masses offered in the Extraordinary Form (Latin Mass).  Faithful who do not feel they are able to receive Holy Communion on the hand, or those who feel the need to refrain from Holy Communion for any other reason, are encouraged to remain in their pew and prayerfully unite their intention(s) to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass by making an act of Spiritual Communion
• The distribution of Holy Communion by extraordinary ministers to nursing homes, hospitals is suspended
  There will be no celebration of Mass at nursing homes or assisted living residences
• Distribution of Holy Communion to the homebound is left to the discretion of the pastor
• Priests shall continue to administer the Anointing of the Sick and Viaticum as usual