The Archdiocese of Mobile is resuming public masses on Tuesday in light of Governor Kay Ivey’s amended safer-at-home order, but other Christian denominations are waiting a little longer.
Ivey’s order removed the 10-person limit on gatherings, allowing houses of worship to legally resume on Monday, May 11. However, the governor urged each faith leader to make the decision they felt was best for their congregation.
Jefferson County Health Officer Dr. Mark Wilson recommended on the heels of Governor Ivey’s order that churches remain closed until Sunday, May 31.
Both the North Alabama Conference and the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church suspended in-person services through June 1. The Alabama-West Florida Conference says on its website to expect new recommendations on May 21.
Alabama’s largest single flock of believers belongs to Reverend Chris Hodges and the Church of the Highlands. Hodges moved all Highlands services online in March. He recently told Alabama Media Group, “The earliest we would go back would be May 31.”
The Episcopal Diocese of Alabama is choosing to keep in-person services suspended at least through Sunday, May 17, and a letter from Bishop Kee Sloan says the diocese “may have to extend our suspension later.”
Alabama’s baptists are the most numerous denomination in the Yellowhammer State. Baptist churches are governed as a loose, voluntary federation, and the pastor of each baptist church may choose when to reopen their facilities.
The Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions has dispensed guidance urging pastors to open in a measured, prioritized, focused way that promotes safety among worshippers.
American Baptist Churches USA has put out similar suggestions.
The Southern Baptist Convention’s Baptist Press has published an article entitled “24 questions your church must answer before welcoming people back.”
The head pastor at each Church of Christ has similar discretion as to when they reopen their facilities.
Both the Presbyterian Church in America and the Presbyterian Church USA are allowing parish leaders to decide for themselves when is best to reopen, and are urging strong safety precautions.
The Archdiocese of Mobile is taking strong precautions upon the resumption of public services. A letter from Archbishop Thomas Rodi lays out in detail the safety measures that churches must enact in order to safely reopen.
The archdiocese is mandating that if a person is feeling sick they must stay home, requiring social distancing to be maintained and many other requirements that can be found here.
Henry Thornton is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him by email: [email protected] or on Twitter @HenryThornton95
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