Did Minnesota Archbishop Blink?

Edit: the Archdiocese has said that it is opening up public Masses at the end of the month. Governor Walz and Archbishop Hebda have made an agreement, but we’re not sure what that means. Here’s the Archbishop’s statement. Its hard to say what he’s planning on doing, but it sounds like the churches will be open on the 27th and only for 250 people. 

(FOX 9) - Places of worship in Minneapolis and St. Paul will continue to hold services remotely, according to a joint statement from the cities’ mayors.

Just hours after Gov. Tim Walz signed an executive order loosening restrictions on in-person worship services, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter released a joint statement saying the congregations in the Twin Cities will continue to operate remotely.

The statement said the mayors discussed the issue with faith leaders and heard “loud and clear” that they are unified in continuing to hold services remotely.

“Any large in-person gathering amid this pandemic puts people at risk,” the statement reads. “Regardless of your faith and beliefs, we all have a common obligation to our respective communities and congregations. Let’s put their health and safety first.”

Here is the full statement from Frey and Carter: 

We’ve spoken with faith leaders [It doesn’t exactly conjure up Saint John Fischer]  from across our Twin Cities, and what we’ve heard loud and clear is a strong, unified commitment to protecting the health of their congregations and continuing to hold services remotely. Any large in-person gathering amid this pandemic puts people at risk. Regardless of your faith and beliefs, we all have a common obligation to our respective communities and congregations. Let’s put their health and safety first. [Let the soul be damned, I reckon] 

AMDG