Fresno Catholic diocese suspends all church services in the midst of Lent over coronavirus
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno is suspending all of its church services for two weeks in the midst of Lent as concern continues over the spread of the coronavirus.
The diocese made the announcement Friday afternoon and follows other announcements from schools and events in the central San Joaquin Valley this week. The closures are aimed at slowing the transmission of the COVID-19 virus that has spread to a majority of states in the country and the world. It originated in China.
The diocese’s closure extends to all church activities, including masses, and Catholic schools through an area that includes eight counties. It is effective Monday. This weekend’s masses will still be held.
“Masses being celebrated this weekend will allow our clergy an opportunity to speak with their parishioners who chose to attend so that they may be better informed and assured that these protective measures are necessary out of care and concern for all God’s people,” read a statement from the diocese.
There are an estimated 1.2 million Catholics in the eight counties covered by the Diocese of Fresno, which include Fresno, Tulare, Kings, Kern, Inyo, Madera, Merced and Mariposa.
The step is just one being taking by Valley church leaders as they grapple with the virus and being caught between faith and action.
Some say they are preparing to make stricter changes should they be needed, but for now are keeping an eye of the global pandemic and reviewing their policies regularly.
Muslim prayer canceled
On Friday, Muslim worshipers in Fresno and Madera were turned away from all prayer locations after religious leaders canceled their busiest prayer session of the week amid concerns of infection from the novel coronavirus.
Worshipers who showed up at the Islamic Center across from Fresno State were handed fliers by a security guard who blocked parking lot entrance. The flier announced the cancellation of Jumma prayer at all mosques and included information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
It was the first time the prayer has been canceled completely in recent memory, said Dr. El Sayed Ramadan, the mosque’s spiritual leader.
The prayer, held just after noon each Friday at mosques across the world, attracts a large number of people.
Ramadan said mosque leaders met Thursday, after state officials announced new guidelines regarding the coronavirus, to review their operations. About 300 to 400 people typically attend the Friday prayer, Ramadan said.
“When there’s a big number of people in the same place, you don’t know who has what,” Ramadan said. “Our main intention is to protect the life of the people.”
Mosque members were asked instead to pray at home or at work during the regular time.
Ramadan also said the Islamic Center is recommending that people over 60 and young children try to not attend services if the situation worsens. The mosque will continue to be open, since non-Friday prayers attract fewer people.
Churches recommend safety
Other churches have yet to announce major cancellations, but a handful have decided step up illness prevention efforts. Some churches are providing hand sanitizer at entrances as well as increasing disinfection of surface areas. Others are limiting member meetings.
An electronic message sent to parishoners of The People’s Church in north Fresno states there are new practices in place to prevent physical contact, including washing hands regularly and staying indoors if they feel sick.
“You may have noticed we have already begun forgoing our normal greeting time during gatherings as to not encourage people shaking hands, but simply greet with a smile and verbal welcome,” an email shared with The Bee by the church notes.
The Well Community Church in central Fresno announced on social media that the church would still take part in Serve Fresno next week. The large community service event gathers churches for community outreach and volunteering.
A spokesperson for the church, speaking in a Facebook video, recommended that elderly church members stay home if they don’t feel OK.
Jim Franklin, pastor at Cornerstone Church in downtown Fresno, said the church is continuing with regular services, but is operating with “the highest hygiene.”
High risk and hygiene
Fears of infection from the novel coronavirus have run deep within elderly and immune-compromised communities.
Health officials warn younger people are at lower risk for the virus, but should avoid contact with elders if they have any flu-like symptoms or have come near COVID-19 exposure areas.
But there is another worry for some churches beyond hygiene practices.
As spaces that attracted multi-generational residents, churches are seen as trusted spaces of faith and information. So some church leaders have turned their focus on making sure health-and-financially-vulnerable residents from low-resourced communities are looked after, said Andy Levine, regional communications director for Faith in the Valley.
As the novel coronavirus crisis looms, signs of financial hardship have also begun to cause worry, as closed schools will keep students home and residents who become ill choose between work and staying home.
Levine said state directives can’t always be followed by populations in need. But he said the network of churches and faith leaders within Faith in the Valley have begun to rally for measures to protect residents during the crisis.
Those measures include asking state officials to support rent assistance and an eviction moratorium, should the pandemic worsen.
“This crisis is revealing the vast wealth and income inequality for families and individuals across our city and across our Valley,” he said. “We need to show our faith in this moment.”
This story was originally published March 13, 2020 at 6:38 PM.
