Following the emergency declaration issued by Washington State Governor Jay Inslee, the Archdiocese of Seattle has suspended the public celebration of all Masses.  Archbishop Etienne has made this decision in light of the presence of COVID-19 in western Washington.  

Currently, the impact of this pandemic does not seem to be as grave here in eastern Washington which is why Mass will continue to be offered throughout the Diocese of Spokane. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that “The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor.”

In light of this deadly outbreak, I want to increase our vigilance so as to protect the health and well-being of our community.  Evidence suggests that people who are 60 years and older are at a higher risk of getting severe COVID-19 disease.  Therefore, out of an abundance of caution, I am issuing the following dispensation:   In accord with the authority granted to the diocesan bishop by the Code of Canon Law (canons 87§1 and 1245), I hereby dispense the Catholic faithful of the Diocese of Spokane who are age 60 and older from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass for the weekends of March 14-15, March 21-22 and March 28-29 of this year.  This dispensation also applies to those 60 and older who may be traveling in other places, and to those visiting in the Diocese of Spokane. I remind Catholics of any age that you are not obliged to participate in Mass when you are ill. Those who care for the sick are also not bound by the precept of Sunday Mass. You do not need the pastor’s permission or dispensation.

Those members of the faithful who do not attend Mass on these weekends should devote some time to prayer on the Lord’s Day, either alone or as a family.  I especially recommend that you read and reflect upon the Gospel texts proclaimed on the 3rd (John 4, 5-42) 4th (John 9, 1-41) and 5th (John 11, 1-45) Sundays of Lent. These faithful are also encouraged to make the following spiritual communion: