The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Peoria says he was hoping to wait a little longer to make the decision, but more consultation has led to what he calls a “dramatic step” in the wake of the COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak.
In a letter to the local Catholic community, Bishop Daniel Jenky starting with the Saturday evening or “Vigil” mass March 14, all public masses are being canceled until further notice– same as other Catholic Dioceses in Illinois.
Jenky says funeral masses and weddings already scheduled may take place, but further guidelines may be given. Memorial masses, however, should be scheduled for a later date. Baptisms can still be held, but only with parents and godparents present.
Jenky says in the letter that the days are “perilous,” “but certainly not unprecedented in human history.”
The Catholic Diocese of Peoria covers all the Catholic churches in Galesburg, Monmouth, Kewanee, and other parts of this region in addition to Peoria.
