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Catholic Church cancels all Sunday masses after this Sunday

Diocese of Samoa Pago Pago
reporters@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Through his Diocesan Decree issued last Friday, Bishop Peter Brown, leader of the Diocese of Samoa Pago Pago, declared the “Catholic Response to the American Samoa Coronavirus”

According to the decree - which is effective Monday, Mar. 23rd - addressed to parish priests, deacons, catechists and community leaders, “All Sunday masses are hereby cancelled until further notice”; however, “small weekday masses may continue if physical distancing (3ft, no contact) is practiced.”

“The Holy Father Pope Francis has given a general dispensation to all Catholics from the obligation to attend Sunday mass until further notice,” the decree states.

Additionally, all large mass Parish gatherings are banned - ie: bingo, large birthday celebrations, family reunions etc.; and all funerals are to be celebrated only with the priest on the day and the immediate family with no other gatherings or faasamoa.

“We are called by our Government and our Church to act in a responsible manner to ensure the protection of our parishioners and families especially the elderly in our communities,  brought upon us by this virus that is sweeping across the world,” Bishop Brown said.

“The only method that we have is isolate our community,” he said. “We place ourselves in the loving hands of God, His Divine Mercy and the Protection of Our Blessed Mother Mary.”

The decree asked those at home to search online for prayer resources to help during this virus epidemic. Suggested link:
http://www.usccb.org/about/communications/usccb-president-reflection-and...

As of Saturday night, Samoa News has not received official communication from other denominations regarding their Sunday services. More in Monday’s edition on the Catholic virus response and local church leaders’ meeting with the governor on COVID-19.