Letter from Archbishop Hebda: Stay-at-Home Update
From Archbishop Bernard Hebda: Easter Blessings in our Risen Lord! Thank you for supporting our Catholic parishes and schools and caring for those in need during these difficult times. I have been praying often and intensely for you, especially during Holy Week.
Archdiocesan Synod Process Delayed
From the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis: Despite the great momentum for the Synod and the participation of more than 8,000 people in pre-Synod Prayer and Listening Events, the Covid-19 pandemic is requiring the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis to alter the Synod schedule.
Statement Regarding Gov. Walz’s Stay-at-Home Order
From Archbishop Bernard Hebda: Governor Tim Walz this afternoon ordered Minnesotans to stay home for two weeks – beginning Friday night – to try and further contain the spread of COVID-19 and buy time for our health care system to prepare.
Virtual Holy Week Retreat Announced
From the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis: In the event that the State of Minnesota’s request that residents refrain from large gatherings continues through the middle of April to contain the spread of COVID-19, the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis is offering a virtual Holy Week retreat and inviting all to participate.
Statement Regarding Formation of Economic Impact Task Force
From Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda: I am pleased to announce the formation of an Economic Impact Task Force during this time of economic instability and uncertainly due to COVID-19/coronavirus.
Archbishop Hebda Suspends Public Masses in Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
From Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda: State Officials have communicated to religious leaders that the next two weeks are critical for the containment of the COVID-19/coronavirus and that all congregational gatherings should be avoided. While I am sure that the advice is startling for those of any creed, it particularly hits hard for Catholics, given our beliefs about the Mass and the Eucharist.
Update Regarding the Archdiocesan Catholic Center Status
As a result of COVID-19/coronavirus and mitigation strategies and recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Minnesota Department of Health, all Catholic Center employees who are able to perform their work duties and responsibilities remotely are for the time being encouraged to do so.
Statement Regarding New Catholic Bishop Abuse Reporting System
From Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda: The Catholic Bishop Abuse Reporting (CBAR) system became operational this morning. The Bishops of the United States approved the national reporting system following Pope Francis’ May 2019 apostolic letter, Vos estis lux mundi (“You are the light of the world”), to address the issue of sexual abuse and bishop accountability in the global Catholic Church.
Statement Regarding Catholic Schools Closures
From Bishop Andrew Cozzens, Vicar for Catholic Education: Across the twelve-county territory of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis are 91 Catholic schools with over 3700 employees serving over 29,000 students in prekindergarten through 12th grade.
Statement Regarding COVID-19 Case at St. Thomas Academy
Across the twelve-county territory of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis are 91 Catholic schools with over 3,700 employees serving over 29,000 students in prekindergarten through 12th grade.
Reaction to Governor’s News Conference Regarding New COVID-19 Recommendations
From Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda: At his news conference this afternoon, Governor Tim Walz announced the Minnesota Department of Health’s recommendations of no gatherings of more than 250 people as well as limiting small group interaction.
Final Prayer and Listening Event Canceled
In response to concerns regarding COVID-19/coronavirus and out of an abundance of caution, the final Prayer and Listening Event, scheduled for Saturday, March 14 at
Statement Regarding Dispensation from Sunday Mass Obligation
From Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda: In ordinary circumstances, Catholics are obliged to participate in Mass on Sundays and other holy days of obligation. This obligation is suspended in cases of moral or physical impossibility, and may also be dispensed for a just cause when it is for the spiritual good of the faithful.
Statement Regarding Closing of St. Thomas Academy and Convent of the Visitation School
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have confirmed that a parent of the St. Thomas Academy community tested positive for COVID-19. The individual and the school are coordinating their response with the Minnesota Department of Health.
Statement Regarding “Abortion Provider Appreciation Day” in Twin Cities
As our nation is rightly concerned about preventing the spread of the COVID-19/Coronavirus and caring for human life, I cannot help but be profoundly saddened and confounded that elected officials in both St. Paul and Minneapolis declared today “Abortion Provider Appreciation Day.”
Statement Regarding Minnesota’s First Case of COVID-19
Please join me in praying for the full recovery of the first Minnesotan to be diagnosed with COVID-19/coronavirus.
Guidance Regarding the Coronavirus
Many of our faithful are understandably concerned about the Coronavirus (COVID-19). We continue to monitor reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Protection.
Live Stream of Ordination, Installation of Bishop-elect DeGrood
The episcopal ordination and installation of Bishop-elect Donald DeGrood as the ninth bishop of Sioux Falls is scheduled for Thursday, February 13, 2020. The ordination and installation will be live streamed on the Diocese of Sioux Falls’ YouTube channel.
Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship Videos Inspire Catholics to Prayer and Action in Political Life, Apply Teachings of Pope Francis
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has released videos to inspire prayer and action in political life and to help Catholics apply the Church’s teaching as handed down by Pope Francis.
Statement Regarding Bishop Michael J. Hoeppner Investigation
Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis has recently been authorized by the Congregation for Bishops in Rome, to conduct
Immigration Sunday Homily Apology from Father Nicholas VanDenBroeke
Father Nicholas VanDenBroeke: My homily on immigration contained words that were hurtful to Muslims. I’m sorry for this. I realize now that my comments were
Statement Regarding Immigration Sunday Homily
From Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda:
I have spoken with Father VanDenBroeke about his homily on immigration and he has expressed sorrow for his words and an openness to seeing more clearly the Church’s position on our relationship with Islam.
Archdiocese Commits to Further Action Following Fulfillment of Ramsey County Settlement Agreement
Ramsey County District Court Judge Teresa Warner today discharged the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis from Court oversight of its safe environment policies, practices and procedures.
Documents Posted: Third Independent, External Audit of the Archdiocese’s Safe Environment Policies and Procedures
A third and final independent, external audit of the Archdiocese’s Safe Environment policies and procedures was conducted and it found that the Archdiocese is in substantial compliance with the Ramsey County Settlement Agreement.
