However, he is encouraging Catholics to go to church for Advent and Christmas if it is safe to do so
By Patrick Downes
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Bishop Larry Silva has extended his dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation from Nov. 1 until the end of the calendar year.
However, he is encouraging Hawaii Catholics to attend Mass if they can do so safely and is asking parishes to accommodate as many as possible, in particular for Advent and Christmas liturgies.
This is his fourth such dispensation since mid-March of this year.
The bishop addressed the issue in an Oct. 13 letter to all “members of the Diocese of Honolulu.”
“With Advent and Christmas coming, it is very important that we prepare ourselves well for these high holy days in which we celebrate the great gift of the Word of God taking flesh and dwelling among us,” he wrote.
“Therefore, I ask all the parishes to plan their Advent and Christmas schedules in such a way as to accommodate as many people as possible throughout these days,” he said.
“While we must not let down our guard and continue to observe prudent hygiene measures,” he said, “we also want to look optimistically to the future.”
While granting the dispensation, the bishop said, “I urge everyone who is able to return to Mass, without undue risks to their health or the health of others, to do so.”
Two holy days of obligation take place during the dispensation period, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on Dec. 8, and Christmas on Dec. 25.
Bishop Silva first canceled public liturgies on March 17 for two weeks, prompted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation that gatherings of 50 or more be canceled and the advice of local health and government officials.
He extended that ban until April 30 as the government pressed stricter “stay at home” orders, effectively canceling the public observance of Holy Week and Easter.
Public Masses in Hawaii returned on Pentecost weekend May 30-31 along with strict rules that included the mandatory wearing of face-masks, social distancing, the sanitizing of pews and other precautionary measures.
The bishop’s first deadline for the Mass attendance dispensation was June 30. He extended that to Aug. 31 and again until Oct. 31.
Bishop Silva said in August that he will end the dispensation “when the virus appears to be under control and no longer a clear and present danger to the community or the people who compose it.”
For those taking the dispensation, the bishop recommended more home prayer and spiritual reading, and the viewing of livestreamed Masses.
The sites for livestreamed Masses are posted on the diocesan website, catholichawaii.org.
