Religious institutions in the Buffalo area, in light of COVID-19 coronavirus concerns and guidance from health officials regarding crowd size limitations, have either adjusted or entirely canceled worship services this weekend and for the near future.
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and county health officials recommended Thursday that public gatherings limit capacity to 250 people. Governor Cuomo, earlier in the day, imposed a ban of all public gatherings with 500 people or more. Religious leaders have cited the advice of health officials in rendering their decisions.
The Catholic Diocese of Buffalo announced Friday morning a dispensation from Sunday and Holy Day masses of obligation. While Catholic churches will still be open, apostolic administrator Bishop Scharfenberger, in a statement released by the Diocese, encourages Catholics to use caution before heading out.
"Until further notice, Catholics of the Diocese of Buffalo should use their prudent judgment as to whether or not to attend Mass," he states. "Older adults, people with underlying medical conditions, and family members of such individuals should take special care in discerning the best course of action to avoid exposure to large groups of people. At this time, Mass will continue to be offered publicly as announced or scheduled, contingent on emergency governmental restrictions regarding larger gatherings."
Other parish events and celebrations, including Lenten penance services, Confirmations and other special gatherings, are postponed until the end of March. According to the Diocese, "further guidance will be provided regarding April and May as developments become clear."
The Episcopal dioceses of Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania have suspended their Sunday services entirely.
"The COVID-19 epidemic is spreading so quickly that I cannot in good conscience permit gatherings that could easily hasten the spread of the disease and contribute to the collapse of our health care system,” writes Bishop Sean Rowe in a communication sent to the two dioceses Friday morning. "As Christians, we are obligated to care for our neighbors and the vulnerable among us, and in the circumstances now before us, we can best do that by helping to slow the spread of the virus."
Unitarian Universalist Church in Amherst has canceled all activities through early April. True Bethel Baptist Church and Unity Baptist Church, both in Buffalo, are canceling services this weekend. Westminster Presbyterian Church in Buffalo will provide its Sunday service through live video streaming only. Watermark Wesleyan Church is canceling its services at both the McKinley and South Creek campuses. Eastern Hills Wesleyan Church is canceling weekend services but, as of Friday, was continuing other programming.
The Chapel, which operates four campuses in Erie and Niagara Counties, has closed its main facility at CrossPoint in East Amherst. According to its website, services are still on as scheduled at its Lockport, Cheektowaga and Niagara Falls sites, but those who normally would attend worship services at CrossPoint are discouraged from going to the other sites. They are, instead, urged to follow services through the Chapel's streaming video.
Three Jewish synagogues in the Buffalo area, Temple Beth Zion, Temple Beth Tzedek and Congregation Shir Shalom, have all closed Friday evening's services to audiences, instead all offering live video streaming. Also canceled are children's Tot Shabbat & Sunday classes.
WBFO also placed calls to mosques to learn what adjustments the local Muslim community may be making.
It is recommended attendees of independent or non-denominational churches contact their place of worship to determine the status of services.
