Tell Bishops Burbidge and KnestoutMask mandates keep students and teachers safe

Posted: Jan. 30, 2022

When Virginia's Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin ordered an end to the statewide school mask mandate this month, Catholic bishops faced an important choice:

Cave to the governor's politics and leave Catholic school students and teachers to fend for themselves, or stand with scientists and local officials by keeping basic COVID-19 protections on their campuses?

Sadly, Arlington Bishop Michael F. Burbidge and Richmond Bishop Barry C. Knestout appear to be choosing politics over the common good. Despite the fact that January was one of the COVID-19 pandemic's absolute worst months for Virginia, their dioceses have announced that masks are now optional in more than 75 schools.

As Christians, we are disciples of a healer who taught us to love our neighbors. During a global pandemic, that means creating safe environments across the country on church property and beyond -- and the overwhelming scientific evidence is that the only to create such an environment is to maintain widespread mask-wearing.

Let's show Bishop Burbidge and Bishop Knestout that a nationwide movement of Catholics and other grassroots Christians expect them to show true Christian leadership, stand up to Governor Youngkin, protect children and teachers, and maintain mask mandates in their diocesan schools.

Sign the petition:

Dear Bishop Burbidge and Bishop Knestout,

As grassroots Catholics and fellow Christians, we were disheartened to learn that you are defying public-health advice as well as local governmental leadership by removing the mask mandates in diocesan schools.

Governor Youngkin has called on Virginians to "love your neighbor" during the mask debate. Who better than the Church to remind him that the best way to do that during a global pandemic is to create safe environments for one another by following the science? And the science is clear: Choosing life means choosing masks.

Unfortunately, simply encouraging masks isn't enough to create safe environments. Without mandates, Catholic school teachers with high-risk family members are forced to put their loved ones in danger. Many students who choose masks are bullied by those who don't, and face enormous peer pressure to stop standing out and ditch the mask.

The pastoral response is to require masks until the pandemic ends. We ask you to show true Christian leadership and concern for life; resist the temptation of politics; demonstrate Christ's healing love for your schools' students, teachers, and staff; and maintain mask mandates in your diocesan schools.

Thank you.

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