Most Reverend David Laurin Ricken, DD, JCL

By the Grace of God and the Authority of the Apostolic See Bishop of Green Bay

DECREE
Suspension of the Public Celebration of Mass

Whereas the worldwide spread of the Covid -19, the coronavirus has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO),

Whereas it has been declared a National Emergency,
Whereas the State of Wisconsin has declared the spread of the illness to be a public health crisis,

Whereas the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay is made up of almost 300,000 Catholics in Northeast Wisconsin,

Whereas the decree dated March 13, 2020, which dispensed from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass remains in effect, and is hereby extended for the length of this suspension, (Canons 85-87)

Therefore, in order to prevent further spread of this disease and to cooperate with public authorities in the work of precaution and public safety, and in light of the gravity of the situation, I hereby suspend the celebration of public Mass until further notice.

Given at the Chancery on March 17, 2020.

Download a copy of the letter here.