Unmasked Churchgoers Won't Be Turned Away From Mass: RI Bishop

PROVIDENCE, RI — Starting Monday, temporary COVID-19 mitigation measures will go into effect in Rhode Island, requiring proof of vaccination or mask-wearing in indoor spaces. While he encouraged Catholics to mask up before heading to weekly Mass, Diocese of Providence Bishop Thomas Tobin said churches should not turn away those who choose not to wear a mask.

"No individual should be turned away from Mass or singled out if they choose not to wear a mask," Tobin wrote in a statement. "Such individuals may have good and substantive reasons for not doing so."

Tobin went on to say that priests, deacons, Eucharistic ministers, altar servers, choir members and cantors will not be forced to wear a mask if they chose not to.

The bishop called for all Rhode Island Catholics to wear masks at weekly services and at any public programs, and that the Diocese "will continue to cooperate fully with state directives regarding the response to the pandemic."

Under the policy, which goes into effect Monday, all public gathering space with capacities over 250 people must require indoor mask-wearing, regardless of vaccine status. Smaller venues must either require masks or proof of vaccination.

When asked about enforcement, Gov. Dan McKee said Wednesday that he preferred to encourage voluntary participation in the mandate, rather than levying fines or other punishments.

Read the bishop's full statement on the Diocese of Providence's website.