El Paso Diocese To Allow Phase One Reopening Of Churches

One of the final entities to slowly reopen in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic has been the churches of the El Paso Catholic Diocese. Bishop Mark Seitz has said that he would not allow reopening of the Diocese facilities until it was safe to do so. As a result, there have not been Masses said in individual churches on Sunday for weeks. There have also not been gatherings allowed of more than 10 people and only gatherings that were necessary to the televised Mass on Sunday were being allowed.

That is changing with an announcement by the Diocese that beginning Thursday, June 11, there will be a Phase One reopening of the Diocese facilities.

Under Phase One, gatherings will remain limited to fewer than 10 people, but churches where disinfection and social distancing guidelines are being strictly followed may reopen during the day for personal prayer by individuals. There will also be Confession offered. Those times must be scheduled and social distancing must be strictly followed.

Unfortunately for those of us who like to attend Mass on Sundays, there will still only be live streamed Mass for the time being. The Diocese will adhere to the no more than 10 people in attendance for those streamed Masses.

While I am eager to get back to a regular schedule of Sunday Mass in a church, I am very grateful that the Bishop is putting people's health at the forefront. If you would like to live stream Mass on Sunday, you can click here for more information and times. You can also find information on live streamed Masses from outside the Diocese on that link as well.