Following the recent update in Covid guidelines, Bishop Michael Fisher, along with the bishops of Rochester, Ogdensburg, and Syracuse, have restored the obligation to attend Mass.  The following is a copy of the official statement signed by all four bishops.

Mass guidelines for the Diocese of Buffalo can be found at:  Guidelines for Mass
 

"Praise be to Almighty God, who has been by our side throughout this long and devastating pandemic.  He has heard our cries of mourning and been our rock in this stormy sea.  He has delivered us through this crisis and brought us to the point where we can now clearly see an end in sight to the suffering, lockdowns, and isolation.  Alleluia!

Today, with vaccination rates rising, infection numbers across the state are falling and we are seeing the reopening of every sector of society, including businesses, restaurants and sporting events.  Now it is also time to return to Sunday Mass.

The obligation to attend Holy Mass on the Lord’s Day is a sacred one.  Anyone who is frail or at risk due to advanced age or medical conditions is always excused from this obligation, and we encouraged you to use your prudential judgement throughout this pandemic to determine if it was unsafe for you to attend Mass.  This remains true.

However, for those who are healthy and not at great risk, the presumption of the faithful should be that, unless they are at an enhanced risk, sick, or caring for others who are at risk or sick, the obligation to attend Sunday Mass now resumes, effective the weekend of June 5-6, 2021, the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ in our dioceses.

One should consult their local pastor if questions arise about the obligation to attend.  All required safety protocols and liturgical directives of each Diocese remain in place until modified or revoked by the respective Diocesan Bishop.

We are grateful to God to have reached this point, and we speak for all of our brother priests in saying we can’t wait to see you again.  Come home to Mass!"
 

Most Rev. Michael W. Fisher 

Bishop of Buffalo

Most Rev. Terry R. LaValley

Bishop of Ogdensburg

Most Rev. Salvatore R. Matano

Bishop of Rochester

Most Rev. Douglas J. Lucia

Bishop of Syracuse

We hope you’ll follow this weekly update that Bishop Mike wishes to share with the Faithful of the Diocese, priests, lay leaders, educators and all, reflecting his insights and activities related to the shared work of creating a new, more promising era for Catholic faith and ministry across Western New York.

Update date:  September 16, 2021.