The Diocese of Pittsburgh began a gradual reopening of churches Friday throughout the region as Butler County was listed among those to be moved into the “yellow phase” following stay-at-home orders due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In a conference call with priests and deacons Thursday afternoon, Bishop David Zubik provided details on the plan to reopen churches in the diocese, including a timeline for celebrations of Mass.

“We are eager to return to the comfort of our churches and join together in prayer as a source of spiritual strength to support us through the suffering and anxiety caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Zubik said. “We are working with health agencies and in coordination with other religious leaders to proceed in a way that tends to spiritual health, while protecting the physical health of our community.”

Butler County joined Allegheny, Greene and Washington counties in moving to the yellow reopening phase. Zubik said parishes within the diocese could be in different phases of reopening at any given time.

As of Friday, churches in the diocese were able to begin offering limited funeral Masses and weddings with cleaning and sanitizing guidelines in place and attended by no more than 25 people; open for private prayer with designated seating, the use of masks and social distancing; offer confession, but only at posted times and with social distancing rules; and perform baptisms, but with only one family per ceremony and no more than 25 people present. Livestream Masses and prayer services continue.

The diocese’s COVID-19 Task Force has developed a reference guide titled “Moving Forward Together” that was released Friday. It details health and safety guidelines that would need to be met for churches to remain open.

Public celebrations of daily Masses are scheduled to recommence June 1, and the diocese aims for weekend Masses to begin June 6 and 7.