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Is It Worthy to Wear Masks at Holy Mass? – Bishop Athanasius Schneider

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Interview Organization: Apostolado Petrino II
Date: March 18, 2021
Bishop Schneider states that priests wearing masks while distributing Holy Communion diminishes the moment’s holiness and reverence. He argues there’s no health risk when people kneel, as the priest stands above them. He emphasizes balancing necessary health precautions with preserving liturgical dignity, warning against turning the liturgy into a "masquerade."
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Transcript:

I believe that a priest wearing a mask while giving Holy Communion at Mass is not worthy of the holiness of the moment. It decreases the seriousness and reverence of giving Holy Communion.

When people kneel, the priest is standing, so there is no danger of contagion. He does not need to wear a mask. It is more dangerous to health security when the priest is on the same level as people while they are standing. It is evident that it is better for the faithful to be kneeling, and then the priest does not need to wear a mask. We have to, on one side, apply all the necessary health security measures and on the other, keep the mercifulness and dignity of the liturgy. We cannot make a kind of masquerade with the masks. 

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