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Milwaukee Archbishop Urges Catholics To Return To In-Person Mass

Listecki Says Churchgoers Should Wear Masks And Practice Social Distancing

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Half of the pews were closed to congregants as services resumed at the Cathedral of St. Helena
Half of the pews were closed to congregants as services resumed at the Cathedral of St. Helena in Helena, Mont., Sunday, April 26, 2020. The Roman Catholic cathedral took measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus as part of Montana’s first step in easing restrictions that have been in place because of the pandemic. Matt Volz/AP Photo

Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki is urging Catholics in strong terms to return to in-person Mass, provided they follow rules about wearing masks and social distancing.

The order excusing Catholics from in-person worship expires on Monday. The move coincides with the archdiocese lifting restrictions that limited churches to 25 percent of capacity.

Listecki’s letter to the 10-county archdiocese said the fear of getting sick is not an excuse, and Catholics “who deliberately fail to attend Sunday Mass commit a grave sin.” Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said he wanted to learn more about the archdiocese’s updated reopening plans.

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