"Safer From Home" Restrictions for the City of Philly In Churches

APPLICATION OF THE SAFER AT HOME RESTRICTIONS 

FOR THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA 

IN CHURCHES AND INSTITUTIONS  

OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA 

The City of Philadelphia issued on Monday, November 16, 2020 new Safer at Home restrictions that are effective as of this Friday, November 20, 2020 through to January 1,  2021. These restrictions are proposed to help flatten the pandemic curve due to the recent  increase in the number of reported COVID 19 cases in the City.  

• These restrictions are only for the City of Philadelphia and do not apply to the other four counties of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia—Bucks, Chester, Delaware  and Montgomery. 

• There is no suspension or interruption of the celebration of public Masses and the  other Sacraments anywhere in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. 

• Parishes and chaplains in the City of Philadelphia are to review the restrictions  and exercise prudential judgement about any necessary adjustments that need to  be made.  

• The recently issued Archdiocesan Directives for Advent and Christmas on October  22, 2020, continue to be in force all throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia,  including parishes in the City of Philadelphia. 

The Archdiocese has been in regular consultation with the Secretary of the  Department of Health for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Commissioner of  the Philadelphia Department of Health.  

One of the publicized Safer at Home restrictions requires specific attention.  Namely, “Religious institutions are permitted to have people indoors, but density must  be capped at 5 people per 1,000 sq. ft. or 5 percent of maximum occupancy.” The  Archdiocese consulted with Dr. Thomas Farley, the Commissioner of the Philadelphia  Department of Health, about the intent and realistic compliance with this guidance.  Religious freedom, our duty to celebrate the Eucharist especially, and our responsibility  for public safety were among the chief points of this consultation with the Health  Commissioner. As a result, it was understood and determined that in order to fulfill the capacity guidelines issued by the City, pastors and chaplains in the City of Philadelphia  need to continue to adhere to the Archdiocesan directives and restrictions in place to moderate the size and density of the congregation so that it is smaller rather than larger.  

Those who have been faithfully implementing Archdiocesan directives by limiting capacity, practicing social distancing, sanitizing and mask wearing are already fulfilling  the intent of this guideline and must continue to do so. In addition, since many people  will voluntarily stay at home during this period, this will further reduce the size of the  congregation. The sick and those with compromised health are to be reminded to stay at  home. In some instances, at the discretion of the pastor, people may need to alter their  choice of Mass time to lessen the numbers at some Masses. At the same time, no one is to  be turned away from the Mass and the Sacraments. Accordingly, the established  Archdiocesan directives for sanitation, face coverings and masks, as well as, social  distancing are to be assiduously observed.  

The faithful should continue to be informed of the available ways to follow live  stream celebrations of Sunday Mass. All parishes are welcome to make use of the live  stream Sunday 11:00 AM Solemn Mass from the Cathedral Basilica found on the website  of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. 

Thank you and God bless you,  

Father Dennis Gill 

Director, Office for Divine Worship