We, the Catholics of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, greatly appreciate that Maryland Governor Larry Hogan seems to understand the essential need for spiritual food through "drive-in religious services.”

• We support the need for a temporary suspension of public reception of Holy Communion, in light of the corona virus contagion
• We advocate for drive-up or make-shift confessionals that allow for social distancing, as are successfully operating in many areas throughout the country, specifically in the Archdiocese of Washington which includes parts of Maryland.
• Making a perfect act of contrition is not easy, which is why Our Lord gave us this life-giving Sacrament. Without the grace of Reconciliation, venial sins lay the groundwork for mortal sins. Even if sins remain venial, they impede growth in sanctity.

All of us, especially young people, are spending much more time on electronic  devices during the shutdown. As a result, we see, among both the young and mature, skyrocketing pornography hits, suicide calls, depression, domestic violence, substance abuse, etc. and all of this is without access to the grace that builds virtue.

During times of trial and sickness mothers and fathers rush to the aid of their children. 

Why have our spiritual fathers been forbidden from administering to us the spiritual aid that only they can give?

Have some of our bishops abandoned us in our time of greatest need? It feels that way.

Further, has this prohibition stripped our priests from the canonical and priestly ministry they were ordained to live? "Virtual presence" is inconsistent with the Incarnational Reality of our Faith.

Your Excellency, Archbishop William Lori, we implore you, along with your advisory council, to restore AT LEAST the Sacrament of Reconciliation to the faithful. Many of your brother bishops are responding at this time to the Sacramental needs of the faithful for Our Lord's Presence in their lives. We humbly ask you to do the same. Now that we are into the Easter Season, we are especially hungry for the sacraments.

Please know we are striving for both unity and sanctity as the people of God who are now living through unprecedented, morally compromised, and medically-confusing times. Sacramental grace is needed now more than ever.