The Diocese of Corpus Christi said Wednesday that it will not be holding in-person Mass for at least two weeks because of growing concerns about COVID-19.
“It’s a very dramatic moment, very difficult decision to have to make,” said Diocese of Corpus Christi Bishop Michael Mulvey.
Beginning Wednesday evening, the masses will no longer be held in churches across the 12 different counties in South Texas.
"This is not an easy decision," Mulvey said. "I ask that you try to understand in charity for the good of everyone in our area (especially the most vulnerable), throughout the State of Texas, our beloved country and indeed the entire world. The virus is a pandemic and not something that can or should be taken lightly."
That decision came after dioceses across the country and state suspended theirs. Plus, earlier today, city and county leaders set limits on the size of public gatherings to 50 people to help prevent the spread of this coronavirus.
“After I listened to medical advisers here in the community, and then seeing what the city and community did today, their actions, I made the painful decision,” Mulvey said.
KRIS 6 News spoke to Coastal Bend churchgoers who were on board with the Bishop’s decision.
“You don’t want to have hundreds of people congregating all at once right now,” said Haily Wilson. “It’s just the best decision to keep everybody healthy.”
Wilson attends Church Unlimited which streamed their services online on Sunday. With the Diocese’s announcement, many churches will be following suit.
“I think it’s good because we live in a time where almost everything is digital, so people still have the opportunity to take advantage of those things,” Wilson said.
Meanwhile, weddings with 10 people or less can still be held at Catholic churches, and attendance for funeral Mass will be limited.
Mulvey also said, despite the cancellations of Mass in the Coastal Bend, that "every church, every parish -- with its priest -- will be saying a Mass everyday so that the spiritual life of the church will continue.”
Mass has been suspended until at least March 31. At that time, the Diocese of Corpus Christi will assess the situation and make a decision on how to move forward.
By the way, the Corpus Christi Cathedral broadcasts its 9:30 a.m. Mass on KDF-TV every Sunday, livestreams here, and can be heard on radio on KLUX Radio 89.5 HD.
Others parishes will have their own options for tuning in.
ALL SAINTS EPISCOPAL CHURCH
3026 S. Staples St., Corpus Christi
Status: ONLINE; services will be accessible on All Saints' Facebook page
CHURCH UNLIMITED
Multiple campuses, Coastal Bend
Status: ONLINE; see service here.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
3115 Ocean Dr., Corpus Christi
Status: ONLINE; services can be watched at 7 a.m. on Fox 38 and on the church's Facebook page at 9 a.m.
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
900 S. Shoreline Blvd., Corpus Christi
Status: ONLINE
KINGS CROSSING CHURCH OF CHRIST
5901 Yorktown, Corpus Christi
Status: CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Statement: Communion will be provided from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Sunday to people in their vehicles.
SOLID ROCK CHURCH
3035 Ayers St., Corpus Christi
STATUS: ONLINE; watch here.
Check back with KRIS 6 News for updates. This will be updated as area churches decide their course of action.