By Mark Weyermuller -
A group of Chicago Catholic faithful said they reject Cardinal Blase Cupich's published plan to re-open churches that have been closed since March 15th, as Governor Pritzker's shelter-in-place order was beginning to take effect.
The letter, signed by Lisa Bergman Joseph and Ann Scheidler of the St. Charles Borromeo Society, was hand-delivered to the Cardinal's Archdiocese offices Thursday afternoon.
The letter to the Cardinal says:
Representing many of the Chicago’s Catholic faithful, the St. Charles Borromeo Society rejects your published Plan for the re-opening of our Churches.
Rather than advocating for your people’s need for the Mass and the Sacraments, as the bishops of Minnesota have just done, you have chosen to go along with Governor J.B. Pritzker’s Executive Order allowing only ten people to attend any church functions, while many secular entities have either no restrictions or significantly broader limits on the number of people allowed. This first phase does not even allow for celebration of public Masses.
Pointing to the large numbers gathering throughout the state in "big box" stores and other state's dioceses, the group said Catholic faithful can also be trusted to social distance as required.
Home Depot allows 150 people to be in its stores. Walmart limits shoppers to approximately 20% of a store’s capacity. The Diocese of Galveston-Houston permits worshippers at 25% capacity. Many other dioceses are opening at 30 – 50% capacity. Grocery stores and drug stores are successfully managing twenty, thirty or more with shoppers honoring the social distance guidelines. Certainly we can be trusted to do as well as shoppers if we are permitted to enter our churches.
The USCCB issued guidelines on April 28, which suggested using alternate rows of pews, inviting people alphabetically, taking reservations for Mass, celebrating more Masses than normally scheduled, and distributing Communion at the end of Mass. These measures would make it feasible for churches to accommodate larger numbers of people while observing physical distancing protocols.
They then said they were "saddened" by the Cardinal refusing to meet with them:
The Chicago Catholic faithful can be trusted to take precautions for our own and everyone else’s safety and well-being. We are saddened that you, as our Archbishop, have opted not to meet with us, and not to listen to our concerns. You have set up a process that can only further delay our access to Mass and Holy Communion. We pray that you revise your Plan.
After delivering the letter, the group then held a prayer service in front of the building.
The Cardinal's plan consists of two phases:
Phase I allows for parishes to reopen for Baptism, Reconciliation, Weddings and Funerals with a limit of 10 attendees.
Phase IA allows for parishes to reopen for private prayer and adoration with a limit of 10 attendees. All parishes, if they choose to meet the requirements, could be opened by May 23 for Phase I and by May 30 for Phase IA.
Phase II allows for reopening for weekday and weekend Masses for larger groups depending on the guidelines from the state and the capacity of the church building.
The group says they plan to continue meeting next Friday, May 29, 2020 at noon in front of Holy Name Cathedral and each week until churches are reopened.
