Masks mandated for Catholic schools in Crookston diocese

Effective immediately, Catholic schools in the diocese of Crookston have instituted a mask mandate, saying the young and unvaccinated are at risk with the Delta variant driving cases of COVID-19.

Bishop Richard Pates, apostolic administrator of the diocese, announced Tuesday that masks will be mandated for K-8 students, teachers, staff and visitors.

Pates says, according to Minnesota Department of Health numbers from Sunday…  in counties with diocesan schools, 43.7 percent of the eligible population has received at least one vaccine dose.

And, among 12-to-17-year-olds in the diocese, only 28 percent are fully vaccinated.

The diocese has schools in Crookston, East Grand Forks, Thief River Falls, Moorhead, Bemidji, Detroit Lakes, Mahnomen and Red Lake.

Pates says the diocese will continue to monitor developments…and return to a “normal” situation as soon as possible.

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Full statement from Bishop Pates:

Our Diocese of Crookston Catholic schools take seriously the responsibility to care for children. For the common good and out of love for one another, we must work together to multiply our layers of COVID-19 mitigation.

In a recent statement, I encouraged anyone eligible for COVID-19 vaccination to get vaccinated. I quoted Pope Francis, who said “Being vaccinated with vaccines authorized by the competent authorities is an act of love. And contributing to ensure the majority of people are vaccinated is an act of love — love for oneself, love for one’s family and friends, love for all people.”

The increasing prevalence of the delta variant, which is extraordinarily virulent, has reared its ugly head. The young and the unvaccinated are especially at risk. As of August 29, the Minnesota Department of Health reports that of the Diocese of Crookston counties which have Catholic schools, those eligible and that have received at least one dose of vaccination is 43.7% of the population. Statewide those eligible and that have completed vaccination is 66.2% of the general population. Among 12 to 17-year-olds within diocesan territory, there is a completed vaccination status of 28%. Our children are exposed to COVID-19 by the public on a regular basis and therefore, such exposure brings the possibility of unintentional contagion within our school buildings.

The youngest in our midst do not yet have the option to be vaccinated against COVID-19. On-going recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics are that schools should practice universal masking during the 2021–2022 academic year. Last year, our schools required masking and there was cooperation at all levels. We managed to complete the year successfully. There is much gratitude for such cooperation.

In light of the foregoing, I am mandating that masks be worn by teachers, K–8 students, staff, and visitors in all Diocese of Crookston Catholic schools, effective immediately. We will continue to monitor this very closely and will return to a normal situation as soon as possible. I apologize for the late notice and any inconvenience of this position.

Please be with me in prayer as we move forward in overcoming this life-threatening pandemic. Thank you for heeding the call to become vaccinated against COVID-19 when possible and upholding masking in our Catholic schools. We must do all that we can to stop the spread, especially among our young and unvaccinated population.

Bishop Richard Pates
Apostolic Administrator
Diocese of Crookston

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