PEORIA, Ill. — As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the Catholic Diocese of Peoria has suspended public masses.
In a statement issued Friday, Bishop Daniel Jenky states that funeral masses scheduled in parish churches can take place and outside committal services can continue.
“For the present, we need to break the chain of transmission of the contagion, but I know that in the future we will much more appreciate and never again take for granted the great gift of our parish communities,” Jenky wrote.
Marriage ceremonies scheduled for Saturday will still go on, but there will be further guidelines from the church in the future.
Scheduled funeral masses may proceed, but memorial masses should be rescheduled. Baptisms will be limited to only parents and godparents.
“I urge you to be patient and faith filled,” Jenky also said.
The diocese includes 26 counties and represents over 140-thousand Catholics.
