BEAUMONT, Texas — The Diocese of Beaumont announced Monday it will be taking extra precautions to help keep Catholics in Southeast Texas from getting sick due to 'growing concerns about the coronavirus.
Bishop Curtis Guillory issued a letter on Monday about 'precautions that should be taken especially at the celebrations of Mass.'
The letter reminds congregation members that 'even under normal circumstances, a Catholic who is ill has no obligation to be at Mass on Sunday or on Holy Days of Obligation.'
Distribution of communion will also be given in the hand and not on the tongue, and 'exchange of the chalice' will be discontinued.
"I am asking that holy communion be distributed only in the hand. and not the Blood of Christ in the cup.", said Bishop Guillory.
Guillory says exchanging the chalice from person to person and drinking from it is an unnecessary risk.
Bishop Guillory is also asking Catholics to avoid holding or shaking hands during the Our Father and the Sign of the Peace. Instead, the diocese says a bow, a wave or simply saying "Peace be with you" are all acceptable expressions.
Bishop Guillory says, "This is a fast developing virus. Every day we hear of new cases, and unfortunately we don't have the medicine to respond to it," added Bishop Guillory.
The diocese is closely monitoring health officials, but can't say when these extra precautions will be lifted.