Bishop David Zubik announced this weekend that all churches in the Diocese of Pittsburgh will be locked until further notice due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The announcement came as several groupings of priests in the diocese began a 14-day voluntary quarantine after one priest tested positive for COVID-19 and another began experiencing symptoms. On Sunday, the diocese confirmed to Pittsburgh media that one of those in quarantine — the Rev. Adam Potter, parochial vicar of the Greenfield, Hazelwood, Oakland grouping of churches, as well as chaplain for Oakland Catholic High School in Oakland —tested positive for the coronavirus.

“My fear is that these two situations could be replicated in other parishes or parish groupings as well,” the bishop said in a Saturday letter to priests, deacons and seminarians.

In addition to closing the church doors to parishioners, the bishop announced the suspension of the public celebration of all sacraments including reconciliation, and the immediate suspension of weddings, funeral services, and baptisms until further notice.

“Although we are not able to celebrate the sacraments publicly due to extraordinary circumstances, Jesus is still with us and working through us,” Zubik said in the statement.

In addition to the clergy team for the Greenfield, Hazelwood, Oakland grouping, a second team ministering to the Dormont, Mount Lebanon and Scott Township area also began quarantine Saturday.

Live-stream celebrations of Masses from the diocese and other parishes not affected by the quarantine will continue. More details on the new directives can be found in the bishop's letter at www.diopitt.org.