The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York today announced plans for gradually reopening churches around the region in several phases and … Dolan said the archdiocesan plan was approved by Dr. Michael Phillips, chief hospital epidemiologist at NYU Langone Health, and Dr. Walid Michelen, chief medical officer for ArchCare, which serves frail and vulnerable people. He said holy water bowls have been removed, missals and other worship aids would be taken out of the church, and masks would be provided to Massgoers who are not wearing them when they enter. Phase 4 calls for churches to hold weekday masses and funeral masses, but with limited attendance - no more than 25 percent of church capacity. Our new Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. The cardinal said the archdiocese and its parishes have "a moral imperative to protect the health of our people and the wider community. "The city's Catholic schools opened for all-in-person classes last week." Different regions of the archdiocese are expected to begin the process of reopening at different times. While there are no plans to take the temperature of any parishioners, priests will be tested for the coronavirus on a weekly basis. Three schools will merge. Msgr. Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York and other church officials announced a multistep plan to reopen the 288 parish churches of the archdiocese as the coronavirus pandemic eases. The third borough most severely impacted by the virus is the Bronx, which along with Manhattan and Staten Island, is part of the Archdiocese of New York. The five-phase plan for the archdiocese, which includes New York City as well as surrounding counties, begins with the resumption of private prayer and… (July 9, 2020 – Manhattan, NY) – The Office of the Superintendent of Schools of the Archdiocese of New York today announced 20 Catholic schools will be unable to reopen in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidelines were outlined during a morning new conference at Our Saviour Church in Manhattan. Who needs Democrats and Republicans anyway? (CNS/Reuters/Brendan McDermid). "Houses of worship provide essential services for the well-being of our people," the cardinal said. The archdiocese stretches north and west to include seven other counties: Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Putnam, Sullivan, Dutchess and Ulster. The five phases outlined in the plan are: — First phase: Churches open for private prayer and confessions. Catholic Schools Opening: Grades K through 8 Catholic Schools Opening: Early Childhood Click the Image to View Our Opening Churches have been closed other than for private prayer since the weekend of March 14-15. The plan calls for priests to be tested weekly for the virus. — Second phase: Celebration of baptisms and marriages, with a limit of 10 attendees. Parotta was quoted in the New York Daily News on September 3 saying that 23 of 109 schools in the archdiocese have not been given reopening information, despite the fact that they are set to open within the next week. 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The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York today announced plans for gradually reopening churches around the region in several phases and … T In a Twitter video, Dolan blamed low enrollment and lack of public funding. All five phases involve masks being worn. "After 10 rough weeks, it’s time for appropriately gradual reopening and staggering of services," said Cardinal Timothy Dolan.