Latest Updates from the Diocese

Directives and Suggestions for Church Offices

Please know that the staff of the Diocese of Gallup are monitoring multiple information sources to assess the situation as it develops.  Restrictions will be reduced as soon as the conditions warrant. After continued assessment and prayer, +Bishop James Wall, hereby issues the following diocesan directives, effective immediately and indefinitely, pending further directions:

Everyone is urged to keep informed about the status of the COVID­19 disease in their county and vicinity.  For church business operation, the guidance for businesses issued by the local authorities should be followed.  The following instruction is in effect in all New Mexico and for Navajo County in Arizona.  Churches in other counties of Arizona should also comply if any cases of the disease are subsequently reported in their county.  Other protective actions are left to the discretion of the Pastor or Administrator:

1. Routine operations should be curtailed to minimize contact between people. This may mean closure of the church office to the public. 
2. A sign should be posted with emergency contact telephone numbers if the office is closed or hours are reduced.
3. As possible, telephones should be manned during some portion of the day to keep communication open. Answering systems need to be activated to allow for messaging.
4. Any employee at increased susceptibility for infection (over 60 years of age or medically compromised) should be released to stay home.
5. As feasible, set up arrangements for administrative employees to work from home.
6. Employees who can do their duties without interaction with the public or a lot of interaction with other employees may still work on site with due caution for distancing and good hygiene practices.
7. To the extent possible, employees should have continued pay, even if they are not allowed to work. Their duty assignment is home.
8. Charitable work should continue to the extent possible without causing undue risk to staff and volunteers or creating a gathering of too many persons.

Mandatory Actions: 

• Holy Water removed from the hand fonts
• Remove all books, missals and loose objects from the pews.
• Procedures must be in place for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to sanitize their hands before and after distribution of Holy Communion.
• Currently, all members of the faithful are dispensed from the Sunday obligation to attend Mass. This dispensations will continue until such time as the course and risk of the COVID-19 disease can be better discerned.

Strongly recommended actions: 

• Hand sanitizer dispensers available at the doors of the church