Why are Churches Being Singled Out?

Since the re-opening of our churcheslast Summer, I’ve made it a point to visit, unannounced, various parishes, inorder to celebrate Mass and spend some time with parishioners.  At each visit, I am not allowed to enter thechurch until my temperature is taken; ushers are there to distribute facemasksto anyone who has left theirs at home. Hand sanitizing stations are located around the church, and socialdistancing and crowd limitations are enforced. When Mass is over, I slip back into the church, and always find eight orso parishioners already hard at work, scrubbing and sanitizing the pews, doorhandles, and altar area before the next Mass. 

When the Coronavirus pandemic surged aroundthe world, there was understandable confusion, uncertainty, and, at times, asense of panic as people wondered, “What should we do?  How do we respond?”  Fortunately, medical experts and our electedofficials were able to provide guidance on what steps we needed to take tocontain the spread of the virus. We thank them.

Here in New York, indeed around thecountry and world, the Catholic Church responded without delay, as did manyothers.  Our parishes suspended publiccelebrations of the Mass and sacraments in early March, recognizing that, whileour primary duty is to help people get to heaven, we also have an obligation toprotect the health and well-being of people here on earth.  Our schools in New York closed even beforethe public schools did, and live stream Mass and remote learning became thenorm.  We were unable to celebrate HolyWeek and Easter Mass in church– and for our Jewish neighbors, the same was truefor Passover.  Our children had to delaytheir first communion and confirmation, couples their marriages, and grievingfamilies had to forgo wakes and funeral Masses for their beloved dead. We didall this sacrificially, but willingly and successfully.  And it worked!

That is why we planned so carefullyfor when our churches would be allowed to re-open, and rejoiced soenthusiastically when they were allowed to do so — and why Bishop NicholasDiMarzio and the Diocese of Brooklyn were right to resist the state’s recentorder limiting participation at all housesof worship in certain neighborhoods. 

Yes, our elected officials have aresponsibility to respond to crisis situations, and we expect them to work topreserve the common good, as they have. If any group, organization, or institution is experiencing a rise incases, or is not following proper safety protocols, it should close down untilthe situation is rectified.  I can assureyou that if a parish in the archdiocese was experiencing a spike, we wouldn’tneed to be told to close; it would happen automatically.

Is it right, however, for a group,organization, or institution, which is operating safely and has not seen anyspike in cases, to be closed down simply because some other group, a half-mileaway, is having problems?  This is notthe time for a “broad-brush” approach, to sweep up everyone within a zip code.We’ve learned some valuable lessons, and have proven that our churches — aswell as our schools, by the way – can operate safely and effectively.

Equally disturbing is the fact thatthese restrictions – no more than 10 people (presumably including the priest,minister, or rabbi) at a service in the red zone, 25 in an orange zone – wouldhave a disproportionate impact on houses of worship.  There is sufficient judicial precedent thatdisallows such targeting of religious services; in fact, given the FirstAmendment issues here – lest we forget, freedom of religion is the firstmentioned in the Bill of Rights – courts have always afforded houses of worshipgreater latitude in such matters. 

The Church in New York has proventime and again its willingness to take all reasonable and responsible steps toprotect the health and safety of all. We who have done all this so scrupulouslyand successfully should not be punished for the failure of others.  To have all of the steps we’ve taken beignored, and to face the prospect of indefinite unreasonable restrictionsplaced upon our churches is just not fair! Why are churches being singled out? Why especially are those houses of worship that have been exemplary,strict, and successful in heeding all warnings, being shut down again?