Charlotte Catholic bishop cancels most Masses after Gov. Cooper bans large gatherings
The leader of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte canceled most Masses late Saturday after Gov. Roy Cooper banned gatherings of 100 people or more.
Bishop Peter Jugis canceled Masses at all churches with a seating capacity of at least 100 until further notice. The diocese spans 46 counties.
Churches that seat 100 or fewer may continue offering Mass, according to the pastor’s judgment, Jugis posted on CharlotteDiocese.org.
The order by Jugis applies to all daily and Sunday Masses and parish events that involve more than 100 people.
Jugis will offer a special videotaped Mass from St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte on Sunday, March 15, “to provide spiritual comfort to the faithful of our diocese,” according to a statement by the diocese. The Mass will be shown about 10:30 a.m. on the diocese’s YouTube channel.
Cooper issued his large gatherings ban earlier Saturday.
Concerns over the latest coronavirus strain and the flu previously prompted Jugis to temporarily stop some traditional practices at Mass, including sipping wine from chalices during communion, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.
In a Feb. 28 letter to monsignors and priests on Friday, Jugis said he “strongly” encouraged them to not allow parishioners to shake each other’s hands during a part of the Mass known as the Sign of Peace and at other church gatherings.
Various other Charlotte area churches previously announced a switch to online worship to help reduce the spread of the virus. They include Elevation Church, Calvary Church, Forest Hill Church, Covenant Presbyterian, Myers Park Baptist and Myers Park Presbyterian, The Charlotte Observer has reported.
Temple Beth El on Providence Road, the largest synagogue in the Carolinas, also switched to online worship..