CNA Staff, Apr 1, 2020 / 14:10 pm
All public celebration of Mass has been suspended in every Latin Rite diocese in the United States because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Many bishops have now also taken steps to limit or suspend access to other sacraments due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, and to comply with local regulations that prohibit people from leaving their homes.
Here's an updated list of those dioceses.
If your diocese is not listed here, your bishop has not issued a blanket policy suspending sacramental access, beyond the suspension of Mass. However, sacramental access may vary in different places and parishes depending on pastoral discretion and local stay-at-home orders.
If you are aware of any changes or updates, email us here. Try to include a link if you can.
Province of Anchorage (Archdiocese of Anchorage, Dioceses of Juneau, and Fairbanks):
No changes to report.
Province of Atlanta (Archdiocese of Atlanta, Dioceses of Savannah, Charleston, Raleigh, Charlotte):
The Archdiocese of Atlanta has prohibited confessions in confessionals, but "individual confessions may be celebrated in a well-ventilated area" that allows for both social distancing and confidentiality. Priests are encouraged to be extra cautious when offering the sacrament of anointing of the sick.
The Diocese of Raleigh has suspended penance unless the penitent is in danger of death. "Drive-through" confessionals have been banned.
Province of Baltimore (Archdiocese of Baltimore, Dioceses of Wheeling-Charleston, Wilmington, Richmond, Arlington):
The Archdiocese of Baltimore has issued a policy suspending all sacramental ministry unless death is imminent.
Province of Boston (Archdiocese of Boston, Dioceses of Burlington, Fall River, Manchester, Portland, Springfield Ma., Worcester):
The Archdiocese of Boston is allowing priests to hear private confessions when they are requested, provided that "reasonable precautions" are taken.
The Diocese of Burlington is requesting penitents make an appointment for confession.
The Diocese of Fall River has said that "Priests may offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation only in danger of death, or by appointment in extraordinary situations."
The Diocese of Manchester has instructed Catholics to contact their individual parishes for sacraments.
The Diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts has closed all churches and has suspended the sacrament of anointing of the sick.
Province of Chicago (Archdiocese of Chicago, Dioceses of Belleville, Joliet, Peoria, Rockford, Springfield Ill.):
The Archdiocese of Chicago has said that "individual confessions are currently not possible" due to the stay-at-home order.
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The Diocese of Belleville has said that "individual confessions are currently not possible" due to the stay-at-home order.
The Diocese of Joliet has closed all churches and adoration chapels, and the sacrament of penance has been suspended unless the penitent is dying.
The Diocese of Peoria has instructed priests to hear confessions outdoors if possible to comply with privacy and social distancing requirements.
The Diocese of Rockford has closed all adoration chapels, and suspended the distribution of the sacraments except in the case of an individual emergency.
Province of Cincinnati (Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Dioceses of Cleveland, Columbus, Steubenville, Toledo, Youngstown):
The Diocese of Cleveland has canceled scheduled confessions, but individual parishioners are to contact their priests for an appointment.
The Diocese of Columbus has closed churches and has said that confession is to be made available only for the sick or in the case of emergencies.
The Diocese of Toledo has instructed priests that "Every consideration should be given to making the Sacrament available, perhaps during a time when the church is open for private prayer."
The Diocese of Youngstown has instructed priests to offer confession by appointment only, with safety precautions taken by priests.
Province of Denver (Archdiocese of Denver, Dioceses of Cheyenne, Colorado Springs, Pueblo):
The Archdiocese of Denver has left the provision of confession up to individual parishes.
The Diocese of Cheyenne has suspended all sacraments unless there is a danger of death.
Province of Detroit (Archdiocese of Detroit, Dioceses of Gaylord, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Marquette, Saginaw):
The Diocese of Marquette has closed all churches in accordance with Michigan's "Stay-At-Home" order and has said confession is to be made available only to the sick or dying.
The Diocese of Saginaw has instructed priests to "consider the best options of the celebration of private confession for those in dire need of the sacrament."
The Diocese of Grand Rapids has closed all churches and adoration chapels to comply with the "stay-at-home" order, but confessions remain available. Catholics are encouraged to call their parishes ahead of time to confirm.
Province of Dubuque (Archdiocese of Dubuque, Dioceses of Davenport, Des Moines, Sioux City):
The Archdiocese of Dubuque is permitting one-on-one confessions, with safety precautions. Archbishop Jackels wrote that "the use of general absolution during this pandemic is allowed."
The Diocese of Des Moines has said confession is currently "mainly" by appointment.
The Diocese of Sioux City has said confession is available by appointment only.
Province of Galveston-Houston (Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, Dioceses of Austin, Beaumont, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Tyler, Victoria):
The Diocese of Beaumont has instructed priests to hear confession by appointment only.
Province of Hartford (Archdiocese of Hartford, Dioceses of Bridgeport, Norwich, Providence):
The Diocese of Norwich has instructed people to contact their pastors about sacramental availability.
Province of Indianapolis (Archdiocese of Indianapolis, Dioceses of Evansville, Fort Wayne-South Bend, Gary, Lafayette):
The Archdiocese of Indianapolis has instructed priests to postpone individual appointments for confession unless the penitent is in danger of death.
The Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend has canceled scheduled confession times, but priests are allowed to hear confessions by appointment.
The Diocese of Gary has said that confessions can be heard on a "case-by-case basis."
The Diocese of Lafayette has ordered churches to remain closed and there will be no scheduled confessions until further notice, unless there is a danger of death.
Province of Kansas City (Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas, Dioceses of Dodge City, Salina, Wichita):
The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas has ordered adoration chapels to close, but churches can remain open with fewer than 10 people inside. Confessions must comply with social distancing guidelines.
Province of Los Angeles (Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Dioceses of Fresno, Monterey, Orange, San Bernardino, San Diego):
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has suspended regularly scheduled confessions and confessions only can be heard if there is a danger of death or "extremely extraordinary situations."
The Diocese of Fresno has closed all "churches, missions and stations; including all grounds and facilities such as chapels, halls, meeting rooms and classrooms" until further notice.
The Diocese of San Bernardino has suspended confessions until further notice, saying "you should not have any confessions at all at your parishes." Exceptions will be made for the dying.
Province of Louisville (Archdiocese of Louisville, Dioceses of Covington, Knoxville, Lexington, Memphis, Nashville, Owensboro):
The Diocese of Covington has said that confessions are to be heard by appointment only.
The Diocese of Lexington has said confessions are to be heard by appointment and that general absolution could potentially be offered to those in a hospital if the situation merits it.
Province of Miami (Archdiocese of Miami, Dioceses of Orlando, Palm Beach, Pensacola-Tallahassee, St. Augustine, St. Petersburg, Venice):
The Archdiocese of Miami has suspended all activities, including confessions, that would require people to leave their homes for the next two weeks. This was decided after Florida issued a statewide "stay-at-home" order.
The Diocese of Orlando has said confessions are to be heard only in emergency cases.
The Diocese of St. Augustine has instructed clergy to use "pastoral discretion and wisdom when making decisions for the parish."
The Diocese of St. Petersburg has allowed individual parishes to make decisions regarding confession availability.
The Diocese of Venice has declared that baptisms should only be celebrated in the case of emergency and that "Anointing of the Sick ought to be requested only in genuine need for the dying."
Province of Milwaukee (Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Dioceses of Green Bay, La Crosse, Madison, Superior):
The Archdiocese of Milwaukee has stated that confessions are "private."
The Diocese of Green Bay has said that confession should be held outside of a confessional, and general absolution may be given in health care facilities with a large number of sick patients, or in religious institutes with many sick residents.
Province of Mobile (Archdiocese of Mobile, Dioceses of Biloxi, Birmingham, Jackson):
The Diocese of Biloxi has instructed that anointing of the sick be offered only to those "most in need."
The Diocese of Birmingham has encouraged priests to be "creative" when scheduling confessions outside of confessionals.
The Diocese of Jackson is allowing confessions to continue as long as they do not violate "lockdown" orders.
Province of New Orleans (Archdiocese of New Orleans, Dioceses of Alexandria La., Baton Rouge, Houma-Thibodaux, Lafayette La., Lake Charles, Shreveport):
The Diocese of Baton Rouge is permitting confessions by appointment only and has suspended all regularly scheduled confession times.
The Diocese of Lake Charles has said that anointing and confession are to be made available on an "individual basis."
The Diocese of Shreveport requires confessions take place with some sort of barrier between the priest and penitent.
Province of New York (Archdiocese of New York, Dioceses of Albany, Brooklyn, Buffalo, Ogdensburg, Rochester, Rockville Centre, Syracuse):
The Diocese of Albany has "prohibited" scheduled reconciliation, but parishioners may call a priest for an appointment.
The Diocese of Brooklyn has limited confession to emergencies only. Anointing of the sick may occur as needed.
The Diocese of Buffalo has limited both anointing of the sick and confession to the gravely ill.
The Diocese of Rochester is offering confession outside of confessionals.
The Diocese of Rockville has said that confession may not be "advertised or scheduled," but that "confession can be conducted when urgently needed and when requested on a case-by-case basis."
Province of Newark (Archdiocese of Newark, Dioceses of Camden, Metuchen, Paterson, Trenton):
The Archdiocese of Newark has suspended confession except for "extreme emergencies" which it defined as "in danger of death."
The Diocese of Camden has said parishes have no obligation for parishes to provide set times for confession during the pandemic and confessionals are not be used. Where confession is offered, strict social distancing is to be observed.
The Diocese of Metuchen has stated that penance is for only those in need.
Province of Oklahoma City (Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, Dioceses of Little Rock, Tulsa) :
The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City has said that confessions may be conducted only from behind a screen.
The Diocese of Little Rock has suspended face-to-face confession, but the sacrament can be celebrated with a barrier between the priest and penitent.
Province of Omaha (Archdiocese of Omaha, Dioceses of Grand Island, Lincoln):
No changes to report.
Province of Philadelphia (Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Dioceses of Allentown, Altoona-Johnstown, Erie, Greensburg, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Scranton):
The Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown has instructed Catholics to contact their parishes about confessions.
The Diocese of Greensburg's website states there have been "restrictions" on anointing of the sick and penance, but does not offer further details. Diocesan offices are closed.
The Diocese of Harrisburg has closed all churches and chapels. Penance is restricted for those who are in danger of death.
The Diocese of Pittsburgh has suspended all sacraments, including baptism, confession, and anointing of the sick, except for "the most grave of circumstances."
The Diocese of Scranton has suspended "public gatherings for the celebration of Confessions or the Anointing of the Sick, indoors or outdoors." Priests will be available for the "gravest circumstances."
Province of Portland in Oregon (Archdiocese of Portland, Dioceses of Baker, Boise, Great Falls-Billings, Helena):
The Diocese of Boise has closed all churches to the public, and suspended all holy hours and "other services" until the governor lifts the "stay at home" order.
The Diocese of Great Falls-Billings has said that "Confessions should continue to be made available under conditions that are deemed appropriate by the pastor of the parish while providing for social/physical distancing."
The Diocese of Helena has suspended all sacraments except for "extreme emergencies." Priests are asked to be "courageous" when anointing.
Province of St. Louis (Archdiocese of St. Louis, Dioceses of Jefferson City, Kansas City-St. Joseph, Springfield-Cape Girardeau):
The Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph has suspended indoor confession in confessionals and said they must be heard in well-ventilated areas.
The Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau has said that confession and anointing of the sick are available by appointment only.
Province of St. Paul and Minneapolis (Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis, Dioceses of Bismarck, Crookston, Duluth, Fargo, New Ulm, Rapid City, Saint Cloud, Sioux Falls, Winona-Rochester):
The Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis is complying with a local stay-at-home order, but has said that priests may "administer the sacraments in cases of serious need and on an individual basis."
The Diocese of Fargo has canceled regular confessions. Catholics can make an appointment for confession, and "Every effort will be made to provide Anointing of the Sick and Viaticum to those who need it."
The Diocese of Saint Cloud has left confession availability up to individual pastors. Confessions will only be available by appointment. Churches will be closed.
The Diocese of Winona-Rochester has said that sacraments are available by appointment.
Province of San Antonio (Archdiocese of San Antonio, Dioceses of Amarillo, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Laredo, Lubbock, San Angelo):
The Diocese of Amarillo has suspended confessions until the "shelter-in-place" order issued by Potter and Randall Counties has ended.
The Diocese of Dallas has suspended scheduled confessions, but priests may respond to individual requests for private confessions. The shelter-in-place order issued for the city of Dallas does not allow people to travel to churches.
The Diocese of El Paso has said confessions may be made available by appointment.
The Diocese of Fort Worth has stopped the outdoor distribution of communion after Masses. Confessions must occur behind a screen.
The Diocese of Laredo has canceled communal penance services, but individual confessions are available.
The Diocese of Lubbock has suspended confessions and has ordered churches closed to comply with the "stay-at-home" order issued by the City of Lubbock.
The Diocese of San Angelo has suspended the use of confessionals, but confessions may be heard in well-ventilated rooms.
Province of San Francisco (Archdiocese of San Francisco, Dioceses of Honolulu, Las Vegas, Oakland, Reno, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Jose, Santa Rosa, Stockton):
The Archdiocese of San Francisco has requested priests move confessions to an appointment-only basis to avoid drawing a crowd.
The Diocese of Honolulu has suspended confession and does not allow general absolution.
The Diocese of Santa Rosa has said it is "imprudent to set up or attempt to offer the availability of individual confession even with the utilization of various protective measures."
The Diocese of Stockton has canceled scheduled confession times and encouraged people to learn more about acts of perfect contrition.
The Diocese of Las Vegas has closed all church buildings.
The Diocese of Reno has closed all churches and chapels as of Thursday. They will remain closed until further notice.
Province of Santa Fe (Archdiocese of Santa Fe, Dioceses of Gallup, Las Cruces, Phoenix, and Tucson):
The Archdiocese of Santa Fe is permitting general absolution in cases that "would include, but [are] not limited to, circumstances where the priest cannot enter a ward with dying COVID-19 patients or even with those who will hopefully recover but would be comforted by the absolution of their sins."
The Diocese of Gallup has limited anointing to those who are in "imminent danger of death," and the sacrament of reconciliation must be done in a well-ventilated space.
Province of Seattle (Archdiocese of Seattle, Dioceses of Spokane, Yakima):
The Archdiocese of Seattle is not permitting parishes to publicize confession times, but is scheduling confessions by appointment.
The Diocese of Spokane has limited penance and anointing of the sick to those who are in danger of death.
Province of Washington (Archdiocese of Washington, Diocese of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands):
No changes to report.