SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — In-person Catholic mass in South Dakota is suspended until further notice amid the coronavirus pandemic, the dioceses of Sioux Falls and Rapid City jointly announced Tuesday.
The suspension applies to all daily and Sunday masses. The church cited the recent recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to limit gatherings to 10 people or fewer.
“This decision is one of the most exceptional pastoral decisions we have faced and its impact on the Catholic faithful of South Dakota weighs heavily on our hearts,” the statement said.
The statement acknowledges Holy Week could be affected by the closure, with recent recommendations from the CDC extending past Easter Sunday on April 12. The dioceses say “mechanisms for live streaming these liturgies are already in place” if the masses cannot be held in person.
