What's Next In Michigan?

As far as I can tell from thousands of miles away, the COVID situation in Michigan was chaotic even before the state supreme court declared Gov Whitmer's executive orders unconstitutional last Friday. Karl Manke, the Owosso barber, had already defied the orders and effectively prevailed. Local law enforcerment had already refused to enforce them. In any case, the regime varied by region, and in turn, regions were subject to red light-green light orders at the governor's whim.

In the wake of last Friday's decision, Gov Whitmer insisted her orders were still in effect, while the state attorney general refused to enforce them. Yesterday, the state health department issued new and essentially equivalnt orders under different authority:

This order reinstates three aspects of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s previous emergency orders:

• Masks are required at indoor and outdoor gatherings that involve people from different households.
• Specific gathering limitations.
• Bars must close indoor common areas, and indoor gatherings are prohibited in most areas where alcohol is sold.

This order is effective immediately and remains in effect through Oct. 30, according to MDHHS officials.

It remains to be seen whether any agency will enforce these new oirders, or whether they are enforceable in this fluid environment. So as far as I can see, little has actually changed.

Nevertheless, I went looking for current policies in Michigan Roman Catholic dioceses to see how they might be responding. It's not surprising that their responses differ.

The most surprising is the Diocese of Saginaw, which actually lifted the dispensation from attending mass as of Oct 1, even before the state supreme court decision. The bishop writes,

As you know, as public Masses in our diocese resumed in May, the dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass remained in place until Sept. 30. Now that the State of Michigan has opened up a great deal, I believe that it is appropriate to lift this dispensation.

On October 1, I reinstated the obligation to attend Mass. In doing so, I am asking Catholics to, guided by Jesus and a well-formed conscience, prayerfully make their own decision about whether to attend Mass or keep the Sabbath holy from home.

. . . There may be many reasons for not attending weekly Mass as obliged by the Church, and I want to make clear that I continue to encourage all people who are sick in any way, who are fearful of contracting COVID-19 or have concerns about underlying health issues and may be vulnerable to the disease to remain home. It would not be a sin to do so.

This strikes me as a model policy that could be followed in many other dioceses in states where the COVID regime is relatively light. It suggests Catholics can, with a well-formed conscience, actually think for themselves.

In an October 5 letter to the Diocese of Grand Rapids, the bishop writes,

It is good that more of you will now be able to attend Mass. I also realize, however, that by maintaining proper social distancing, our churches still face some occupancy restrictions. I am extending the dispensation for all Catholics within the territory of the Diocese of Grand Rapids from their obligation of attending Sunday Mass through November 23 to address this concern.

, , , Those who are able to attend Mass should return, remembering that our physical presence at the Eucharistic table is irreplaceable. While this dispensation is in effect, all baptized Catholics are reminded of their obligation to keep the Lord’s Day holy.

The Diocese of Gaylord posted the following on its website on Oct 3, following the supreme court decision:

We are aware of the recent decision of the Michigan Supreme Court regarding the emergency powers of Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

The current safety precautions and protocols for schools and parishes that have been issued by the diocese are issued based on the authority of the Bishop, taking into account expert advice from the medical community. Therefore, these safety precautions and protocols are not affected by this decision of the Supreme Court regarding the authority of the Governor and remain in place until they are reviewed and, if appropriate, modified by the diocese.

Your cooperation and compliance in this regard is deeply appreciated.

What's consistent among these is that none acknowledges state authority to limit mass attendance. On one hand, two of the bishops refer to the ability of individual Catholics to decide whether to attend mass, given public health conditions. A third asserts that the conditions under which mass is held are determined by the bishop, not the state.

Under current circumstnaces, the state is in any case not in a position to issue, relax, or enforce consistent public health guidelines, and the bishops are indirectly acknowledging this. This strikes me as a remarkably intelligent response to the conditions they have, and I suspect many other dioceses will be looking to them as the situation develops.