Providence, R.I., Dec 21, 2021 / 12:06 pm
The Bishop of Providence clarified Thursday that despite Rhode Island’s re-imposed mask mandate, people will be permitted to attend Mass if they do not have a mask.
“As it has from the beginning of the pandemic, the Diocese of Providence will continue to cooperate fully with state directives regarding the response to the pandemic,” said a Dec. 16 statement from Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence.
Tobin added that while he encouraged Catholics within the diocese to follow state guidelines, “no individual should be turned away from Mass or singled out if they choose to not wear a mask.”
“Such individuals may have good and substantive reasons for not doing so,” he said. “In addition, in keeping with our approved policies, liturgical ministers (e.g. priests, deacons, ministers of Holy Communion, altar servers, cantors, choir members) are not expected to wear masks while actively participating in the liturgy.”