Priest who gave Communion tests positive for COVID-19, Sacramento Catholic Diocese says
A priest at St. Peter’s Parish in Dixon has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus after he celebrated Mass at the church for more than a week, the Catholic Diocese of Sacramento announced Thursday.
Father Hector Montoya, pastor of St. Peter’s Parish, tested positive for COVID-19, the infectious respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus. The diocese says it has been informed that key elements of health guidelines created for public celebrations of Mass were not being practiced at the church.
In particular, the priest and deacons did not wear masks while providing Holy Communion to parishioners, even though it is required, according to the news release.
“We continue to investigate this matter in hopes of understanding the extent of the exposure risk,” diocese officials said in the news release. “We are deeply concerned by this news and extremely disappointed that some of the required precautions appear not to have been followed.”
There will be no public Masses at St. Peter’s Parish until further notice, the diocese announced. The church will be thoroughly sanitized, officials said.
The diocese says suspension of public Mass was lifted June 8, and parishes were allowed to return to daily Mass as early as that day. The first public celebration of Sunday Mass was this past weekend.
Father Montoya celebrated Mass at St. Peter’s Parish from June 8 through June 15, according to the diocese.
On Thursday, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that people in California must wear masks in all indoor public spaces, a new mandatory health guideline that aims at slowing the spread of COVID-19.
Nearly 5,300 Californians have died among nearly 162,000 positive COVID-19 cases, the state Department of Public Health announced Thursday.
Catholic churches in Sacramento had been closed since March 13. The Sacramento Catholic Diocese and Bishop Jaime Soto announced May 29 that parishes could reopen for Mass after careful consideration and planning with health officials. But those over 65 or with a weakened immune system were urged to stay home.
Attendance would be limited to 25 percent of the church’s normal capacity or a maximum of 100 congregants, whichever number is lower, in accordance with state guidelines.
The diocese has notified members of St. Peter’s Parish congregation and suggested to them that “they may wish to contact their health care providers” about testing, self-quarantine or other actions, according to the news release.
“We promptly notified the Solano County Public Health Department and will work with officials to notify members of the parish, as well as the wider community of Dixon,” officials said in the news release.
As of Thursday evening, Solano County had a total of 811 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 23 deaths related to complications from the disease.
Diocese officials also said they are ready to help health officials implement any measures that can mitigate the impact of “this potential exposure.”
At this time, diocese officials say their focus is on notifying parishioners and the surrounding community. They also said they will continue to investigate and take “any remedial actions required.”
“Public masses at this parish will resume only when we are entirely sure they can do so in a way that truly safeguards the health of attendees and the community,” diocese officials said in the news release. “We pray for the recovery of Father Montoya and all who are sick, and we pray for the health and safety of our parishioners, their families and our communities.”
