Property Insurance director of the Diocese of Tucson, John Shaheen, sends out a message to pastors in hopes of encouraging others to stay safe In light of the alarming increase in Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations across the Diocese
"Dear Fathers,
COVID-19 is a disease that continues to infect thousands of Arizonans weekly. Our state is still experiencing on average more than 3,000 new cases a day, more than 2,000 COVID-19 hospitalizations a day, and about 50 deaths a day. As we continue to slowly navigate through this pandemic, our resolve to fight this disease has diminished and the current levels of infection and death are deemed acceptable by many.
Unfortunately, this has put pressure on our pastors to return church life to pre-pandemic days. We have received several inquiries from parishes regarding the protocols of congregational singing, use of hymnals and missalettes in the pews, group baptisms, parish gatherings, youth retreats, sanitation protocols, receiving communion on the tongue, etc. Individually, each of these protocols’ contribution in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 appears minimal. However, when most or all are kept in force, they are highly effective in reducing the transmission of this disease. The Swiss cheese model below illustrates this concept.
Battling COVID-19 with the Swiss cheese model
Every time we peel off a slice of the Swiss cheese in our mitigation plan, we remove another layer of protection in fighting the transmission of the disease. We still have many unvaccinated people attending Mass and we need to be concerned for their well-being as they are the ones who are most likely to contract the disease, be hospitalized, and possibly die. Children 4 and under are still not elgible to be vaccinated and children ages 5 through 12 are just now being vaccinated but are still considered vulnerable in the short-term. Also, you need to understand, just because many congregants are vaccinated, they still can be carriers and transmit the disease.
Our best recommendation to pastors and parishes, is not to become lax or give-up fighting this disease. Keeping protocols in place may not be popular, but they are necessary to keep your parishioners safe. Use your best judgement when removing protocols by asking – 1) “How will this affect the most vulnerable?”; 2) “Are there other options?” e.g., use of projectors and screens instead of missalettes at Mass, outdoor gatherings opposed to indoors, individual family baptisms instead of multi-family baptisms, etc. 3) “Are parishioners continually reminded to stay home if they feel the onset of a cold or even have mild symptoms such as coughing, sore throat, slight fever or runny nose,” being assured that they are dispensed from attending Mass until they are feeling better? 4) “Are best practices being implemented for keeping the church and facilities sanitized and ventilated, reminding parishioners to wash/disinfect hands especially after sneezing or coughing, wear masks in order to protect their fellow parishioners?”.
Father, the fight is not over with COVID-19. I trust you will decide what is best for your parish moving forward. Our advice to you is to remain vigilant and determine which protocols are best for your parish, with priority given to the continual celebration and administering of the sacraments and educating our children in a safe environment."
Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger also commented on the rising numbers of Covid-19 stating:
"Hospitalizations for Covid are drastically up in Tucson and a little over one-fourth are Catholics. The hospitalized include elderly, teenagers and children, and they are largely not vaccinated. I join with our Holy Father, the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, my brother bishops around the world, and the vast majority of faithful Catholic scientists and doctors in encouraging all the faithful to be vaccinated when they have the opportunity. I also ask for prayers for an end to the pandemic and for the health and wellbeing of those who are sick." – Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger