Diocesan News

Diocesan News

As the phased reopening process progresses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts amidst the still-prevalent COVID-19 pandemic, Episcopal congregations in Massachusetts have been operating under a bishops’ directive that there be no in-person public worship services until at least July 1.  

As that date nears, Bishop Alan M. Gates and Bishop Gayle E. Harris of the Diocese of Massachusetts issued new guidance on June 15 that “strongly encourages” congregations to continue to refrain from holding in-person worship for now, but also permits congregations—in places where local conditions allow—to begin preparations for limited in-person regathering after July 1.

Diocesan News
The bishops issued the following guidance on June 15, 2020, to clergy and congregational and diocesan leadership, regarding preparations and the certification procedure required of Diocese of Massachusetts congregations before they transition to "Stage Two" in-person regathering…
Diocesan News
Bishop Alan M. Gates issued the following message to the diocesan community in remembrance of the late Bishop Barbara C. Harris, marking the 90th anniversary of her birth on June 12. Matthew Cavanaugh …
Diocesan News
The following update from Canon to the Ordinary Bill Parnell was e-mailed to clergy, wardens and treasurers on June 10: As businesses and public spaces are beginning to open in Massachusetts, we know you are anxious about what the lessening of restrictions will mean for our congregations and…
Diocesan News
Bishop Alan M. Gates ordained four deacons and five transitional deacons over the course of June 5 and 6.  Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the service happened in a new way this year--online and in small in-person groups. The Liturgy of the Word portion of the service took place over the…
Diocesan News
The bishops of the seven New England Episcopal dioceses on June 2 issued the following joint statement in response to President Trump's photo op at St. John's Episcopal Church in Lafayette Square, Washington, D.C., characterizing it as "cynical" and calling out "the abomination of continued…
Diocesan News
The bishops of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts issued on June 1, 2020, the following statement to the diocesan community. June 1, 2020 Dear People of the Diocese of Massachusetts, Yesterday afternoon we stood in Boston with other religious leaders as “Clergy United in Prayer, Protest,…
Diocesan News
Civil unrest across the country over the past week in response to police brutality that resulted in the killing of yet another black person, George Floyd in Minneapolis, erupted in Boston over the weekend, with a mostly peaceful protest march involving thousands of people on Sunday taking a violent…
Diocesan News
The diocesan community’s prayers and virtual presence are invited for the upcoming ordination of deacons, June 5 and 6.  Because of current public health circumstances, the ordinations will be taking place in a new way this year. The Liturgy of the Word portion of the ordination service,…
Diocesan News
The four-phase Massachusetts reopening plan announced by Governor Charlie Baker on May 18 permits restricted regathering at houses of worship right away, but Episcopal churches in Massachusetts will not be resuming in-person public worship or gatherings until at least July 1—a directive issued by…