Bishop Daniel E. Flores and other priests in the Diocese of Brownsville on Monday performed Mass for the first time since March 19 after Flores lifted the prohibition on public masses because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Priests performed Mass under strict guidelines as parishoners wore facial masks and practiced social distancing to receive Holy Communion.
Flores had ordered churches shut because of the pandemic. The announcement Friday that they could reopen came on the same day President Donald Trump declared churches “essential” and ordered them reopened.
The bishop lifted the ban after consultation with local civic and health officials and church officials across the diocese.
