KENTUCKY — After Gov. Andy Beshear (D) recommended a pause on all in-person worship services across Kentucky yesterday, the Archdiocese of Louisville, Owensboro, Lexington, and Covington announced they will decline Beshear’s recommendation and continue holding in-person worship.
What You Need To Know
- Kentucky Archdiocese declined Beshear's recommendation to halt in-person worship
- Louisville, Covington, Owensboro, Lexington will continue in-person worship with strict health guidelines
- Catholic schools will comply, remain on NTI-only until January
- Owensboro claimed no COVID-19 cases have been traced to its worship services
Beshear’s executive order takes effect Friday at 5 p.m. and ends on Dec. 13 — prohibiting indoor dining at restaurants and bars, further limiting capacity at all gym facilities, and forcing all schools to remain on Non-Traditional Instruction (NTI) until early January.
His order did not explicitly target places of worship, but he offered a public recommendation that they also cease in-person worship until Dec. 13.
In a statement, the Archdiocese of Louisville acknowledged the difficult circumstances Beshear seeks to navigate and thanked him for his concern.
“At this time, we will not be suspending public liturgies but encourage all to act in a responsible way that respects the seriousness of this pandemic and the health and safety of all,” said Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz.
The Archdiocese of Owensboro, Covington, and Lexington also released a joint statement sympathizing with Beshear’s concern for the common good and public safety. As with Louisville, they continue to offer both in-person and remote worship.
All of the Archdiocese said they will continue to follow their “Healthy at Worship” directives, including limiting church capacity, requiring face coverings, and maintaining physical distancing.
“This formula has proven successful and we cannot confirm even a single instance of transmission of the COVID-19 virus through our churches and our worship,” said Owensboro Bishop William Medley.
Both statements confirmed that Catholic schools in the state will comply with Beshear’s orders.
“We urge all citizens to heighten their observance of mandates. We pledge to continue our collaboration with healthcare officers throughout our region,” they said.
Bryce Shreve is a digital producer with Spectrum News 1 KY. He is a recent graduate of Indiana University Southeast and joined the staff in November, 2020.