The Most Rev. Peter A. Libasci

MANCHESTER – The Most Rev. Peter A. Libasci, Bishop of Manchester, announced earlier this week that he has given permission to priests of the Diocese of Manchester to begin distribution of Holy Communion to the faithful. Specific guidelines and directives for the distribution of Holy Communion and surrounding instructions for church safety precautions have been distributed to pastors of the diocese.

Libasci’s intentions are to provide an interim measure to participate in the source and summit of the Catholic faith for parishioners while planning for the future resumption of public Masses. Any parish that is able to comply with the guidelines may begin distributing Holy Communion as early as today. All parishes will implement the plan and begin distributing Holy Communion no later than May 30.

In a letter to the faithful, Libasci said, “I have been working with our regional Deans and others on the development of plans for the resumption of the public celebration of Mass, and this interim measure, which has been generated from that process, is intended to allow for the reception of the Eucharist pending the resumption of public Masses.”

The Bishop’s letter and other information about the diocesan response to COVID-19 can be read at www.catholicnh.org/

coronavirus.

The state of New Hampshire currently restricts gatherings of more than 10 people, in most cases, including religious services. Representatives of the Diocese of Manchester, along with religious leaders from other denominations, are participating in a working group to help develop a process that will allow public religious gatherings to resume in a safe and responsible manner.

At the current time, all celebrations of the Mass and the other sacraments with a congregation remain suspended, and a dispensation from the obligation to attend Holy Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation remains in effect.

The Diocese of Manchester is the Roman Catholic Church in New Hampshire, serving the needs of 235,000 Catholics. For more information, visit www.catholicnh.org/overview.

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