July 30, 2020 • Newspaper of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Priestly peacemaker Father Harry Bury spends retirement years promoting nonviolence, describes decades of activism in autobiography. — Pages 10-11
Undocumented immigrants with COVID symptoms may be suffering in silence
Goodbye, St. Joe’s Catholic Charities’ home for child protection stays and placements set to close amid move away from institutional facilities, dwindling need. — Page 5
Sisters from India Franciscan Clarists celebrate 50 years of ministry in archdiocese, beginning at St. Therese in Deephaven. — Page 7
Retreat reopening Centers begin welcoming back visitors after “painful” closures due to COVID-19 restrictions. — Page 13
Protect and serve Catholic police chaplain offers commentary on striking a balanced view of current law enforcement crisis in Minneapolis. — Page 19
AFRAID TO DEATH
DAVE HRBACEK | THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
Enedelia Martinez holds a picture July 20 of her partner, Raul Castaneda, who died of COVID-19 in April. Standing next to her in front of their Roseville mobile home are the couple’s two children, Paolo, left, and Elena. Experts and those who minister to immigrant communities say fears about finances and the threat of deportation may be keeping some who are ill from seeking testing and treatment for the coronavirus. See story on page 6.
Archdiocese calls attention to mask mandate By Joe Ruff The Catholic Spirit
T
he Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis July 24 called attention to Gov. Tim Walz’s mask mandate for indoor public places during the coronavirus pandemic. Those visiting Church offices, participating in indoor Masses, engaging in in-person Bible studies should take the mandate into consideration. The governor’s order came amid rising COVID-19 cases in Minnesota and deadly spikes in several states around the country, including Florida, Texas and California. In a memo to pastors, other clergy and parish business administrators, Father Tom Margevicius, the archdiocese’s director of worship, said safety protocols in Catholic churches are ultimately within the authority of diocesan bishops, including Archbishop Bernard Hebda. But Catholic tradition teaches that the Church should collaborate with public officials to serve public health and the common good, unless directives are unreasonable, impractical or discriminatory. “The Archdiocese does not regard the Governor’s Executive Order to wear face coverings to be any of these,” Father Margevicius wrote. “Parishes have already instituted strict distancing and cleanliness protocols, and this requirement may be an additional burden. Nonetheless, the Archbishop appreciates encouraging mask use, promoting community health, and not giving scandal to others by not wearing masks.” Prior to the executive order, Archbishop Hebda, while not mandating the use of face coverings at Mass, had been following the advice of the Minnesota Department of Health for houses of worship and urging people to wear masks. Even though he recognized that the utility of masks was controversial in the scientific and medical communities, the archbishop argued that individuals should consider wearing a mask out of respect for their neighbor, especially those most vulnerable. Many Catholics chose not to follow that advice, offering arguments that at times took a political tone. Others said that faith in God and his providence
should be enough to protect people, particularly at Mass. With the issuance of the executive order mandating the use of face coverings, the situation has changed. While it falls to the diocesan bishop to regulate the liturgy in his own diocese, Catholic teaching and tradition recognizes the importance of complying with the public safety standards of the community. “Catholics recognize that following the just laws of legitimate authorities is a moral obligation,” Archbishop Hebda said. “Just because we are in a Church-owned facility doesn’t change that. We have our elevators inspected, we follow the directives of the fire marshal in limiting attendance, we need licenses to hold raffles. Where concerns arise is when something interferes with the liturgy or where a law is FATHER TOM discriminatory. In the case of face coverings, MARGEVICIUS we already know that we can celebrate the Eucharist according to our rubrics while still meeting the state’s requirements. Indeed, many of our faithful and liturgical ministers have been wearing masks for months. There is no question in this instance, moreover, of the law being discriminatory. It doesn’t apply only to Catholics, and it is not a case of houses of worship being treated differently than other indoor spaces.” The archbishop noted that “those who are unable to wear face coverings for medical reasons are probably already covered by the exceptions set forth in the executive order. Those who are simply unwilling to wear face coverings would have the option of participating in one of the outdoor Masses being celebrated throughout the archdiocese or else participating virtually.” Father Margevicius’ memo also reiterates protocols for distribution of Communion, including a requirement that all who distribute the Eucharist — both clergy and extraordinary ministers — wear facial masks and sanitize their hands before and after distributing Communion. PLEASE TURN TO MASKS ON PAGE 5