Pachamama, Protect Us!

The Diocese of Belleville has suspended all public Masses effective immediately.
The cancellation of those services will remain in effect until further notice, the Rev. Msgr. John T. Myler, spokesman for the diocese, said Tuesday.

The diocese oversees about 70,000 Catholics in the 28 southernmost counties in Illinois, along with 108 parishes and 29 schools.

Myler said a letter from Bishop Edward Braxton will be released Wednesday morning, and that it will provide more details about the closings, as well as information about issues such as weddings, funerals and confessions.

 

Dr. Braxton

 Doctor Braxton said,  "There is nothing more important to the Catholic Church than your physical health. It is way more important than your spiritual health. If there was ever a time for people to go to Church it is not during a crisis of any kind. The fact that only 6 people in the Diocese have contracted the virus and none have died is irrelevant.

I think cancelling all Masses will remind people how unimportant going to Mass on Sunday is, and will help us recruit more priests. May Pachamama watch over us."