BALTIMORE, MD—The Archdiocese of Baltimore plans to resume holding services this coming weekend, but only where permitted to do so.

In a video message released on Tuesday, Archbishop William Lori said that some parishes will resume public Masses at one-third capacity beginning on Saturday, May 30, if their local jurisdiction allows religious services for more than 10 people.

The resumption of services will also depend on whether or not each parish has taken the necessary precautions for sanitizing and maintaining social distance.

“We have been apart for far too long and we are hungry for nourishment that the Eucharist provides,” said Archbishop Lori on Tuesday.

Barring an announcement from County Executive Johnny Olszewski, services are unlikely to resume in Baltimore County, where religious services are still limited to 10 people or less as of Tuesday.  Only one Baltimore County zip code is currently among the top ten zip codes in Maryland with the highest number of COVID-19 cases.  Additionally, 70% of Baltimore County’s coronavirus fatalities have occurred inside nursing home communities.

The video message from Archbishop Lori can be viewed below.