Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone in a memo to priests dated Feb. 15 said that masks are no longer mandated for church although signs recommending masks should be posted at the entrance to church.
No one should be required to show proof of vaccination to enter church, the Archbishop wrote. He recommended that a number of precautions implemented in response to COVID-19 remain, regarding masks and social distancing and proper ventilation of the churches.
He also said that the Eucharist should only be offered as the host, not the chalice, to the faithful.
For Ash Wednesday, the Archbishop said that the regular tracing of the ashes on the forehead should resume, but for those who are wary, the sprinkling of ashes on the head is allowed.
In his memorandum, the Archbishop also recounted instances of great disrespect of the Eucharist, and called for greater protection and care of the Eucharist. Read the entire memo here.
