WHEREAS:  The Bishop of Manchester suspended the conduct of Holy Mass in public out of a desire to protect members of the diocesan community safe from the unknowns of the COVID-19 virus, and

WHEREAS:  Other businesses and public accommodations deemed “essential” by the governor, such as liquor stores, restaurants, department stores and many others, have continued to successfully operate throughout the State of New Hampshire, mindful of proper sanitary and social distancing practices, and

WHEREAS:  Businesses across the state are being allowed to re-open, mindful of proper sanitary and social distancing practices, and

WHEREAS:  Nearly half of all those who have contracted the virus and more than three quarters of those who have perished from it come from nursing homes, which have been and continue to be completely closed to the public, and

WHEREAS:  New Hampshire has an exceedingly small number of persons infected and has lost precious few to COVID-19, and

WHEREAS:  Our ability to worship is not only at least as essential as all other services that remained open during this time and those now being allowed to re-open, but is also a right guaranteed by the constitutions of the State of New Hampshire and the Unites States of America, 

WE NOW, THEREFORE, by our signatures on this petition, call upon the Most Reverend Peter Libasci, Bishop of Manchester, to allow the re-opening of churches across the Diocese of Manchester so Holy Mass is again held for the faithful to receive the Bread of Life, the most essential of all services, trusting in the Lord’s protection of and guidance to those who will both attend and not attend as they see fit.