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Important Updates from Bishop Calvo

December 16, 2020
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

As you might have heard in the news, the 9th Federal District Court upheld two petitions from Nevada houses of worship seeking modification of the state’s emergency directives regarding a cap on the number of attendees for religious services. The basis for the petitions was the recent Supreme Court opinion, Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, New York, v. Andrew Cuomo and Agudath Israel of America, et al. v. Cuomo. Subsequent to that Supreme Court opinion, I directly petitioned the governor for the modification for houses of worship with similar arguments. The court’s opinion was clear and applicable to the situation in Nevada and the possible remedy—elimination of the numerical cap—was simple and reasonable, without the need for further litigation.

The current emergency directives impose a limit of 25% (previously 50%) of fire code capacity for casinos, restaurants, and bars. In contrast, the state had imposed a limit of 50 people (previously 250) on houses of worship, without consideration of the size of a building or fire code capacity. Houses of worship are comparable facilities to restaurants, casinos, and bars in that all are in the category of risk for Covid transmission since people will be mostly stationary in one space for an extended period of time.

Since the Supreme Court decision in Employment Division v. Smith, written by Justice Antonin Scalia, a law that is neutral and generally applicable does not violate the First Amendment Free Exercise Cause, unless it can be proven otherwise. This ruling turned the previous standard upside down and necessitated federal and state Religious Freedom Restoration Acts. This standard generally guided the Supreme Court’s opinion on the injunctive relief application by the Diocese of Brooklyn and the Agudath of Israel congregations, which contended that the state’s restrictions did not treat houses of worship the same as comparable facilities, that is, the restrictions were not neutral. Yesterday Governor Sisolak complied with the 9th District Court’s action and has removed the limit of 50 people for religious services during the extended statewide pause. The limit now is 25% of fire code capacity with social distancing and other mitigation measures, which is the same as those imposed for bars, restaurants and
casinos.

The attendance limit for all churches in the Diocese of Reno is now: the capacity with social distancing (6 feet front, back and side) for household units not to exceed 25% of fire code capacity.

In our diocesan planning for resuming liturgies, all parishes were asked to calculate the social distancing capacity of their church buildings and to mark off clearly pew and seat spacing for this. All parishes were asked to update their churches fire code capacity. These calculations are necessary in order to determine the actual number of people who can attend Masses in accord with the modified emergency restrictions. This court decision and lifting of the 50-person limit will have the biggest effect on larger churches with fire code capacities of 800 to 1,100 people. For smaller ones, the impact might be minor or even none at all.

I ask you to have patience and cooperate with your parish as it complies with all our diocesan safety protocols on:
• Social distancing
• Wearing facial coverings at all times throughout liturgies, and this includes
presiders, deacons, lectors and other ministers
• Contact tracing information
• Hand sanitizer availability
• Disinfecting surfaces and door handles/knobs after services.

You remain in my prayers as we navigate this pandemic together working to balance protecting life with our right to worship as community within a neutral regulatory environment.

Yours in Christ,

Most Reverent Randolph R. Calvo
Bishop of Reno

Nevada Bishop's Statement on AB351/SB105

The Bishops of Nevada have issued a statement of AB 351/SB105; calling for the rejection of Physician Assisted Suicide.

You too can help, by alerting the Assembly. Click HERE
• Scroll down to Share Your Opinion on Legislative Bills
• On the Select Bill, click or enter: AB351
• Scroll down to the Your Opinion of the Bill and click on Against
• Fill in the Your Information section.

CSA PamphletIn English

CSA Panfleto en Español

Can we pray for your?
CSA Prayer Intention Request

¿Podemos orar por usted? CSA Intenciones Especiales

Donate to TV Mass

Donar ahora a la misa de TV

Donate to Your Parish Virtual Parish Offering Plate

Dona ahora a tu parroquia Canasta de ofrenda virtual

Latest News & Events

The High Desert Catholic is the official news magazine for the diocese. New issues come out every other month. Click on the image below for the latest issue of the HIGH DESERT CATHOLIC

Protecting God's Children

The Diocese of Reno is committed to the safety of our children and vulnerable adults. We have in place policies and protocols for all staff, lay and clergy, and all volunteers that require training and/or background checks. We are in full compliance with the Dallas Charter and remain diligent in maintaining this compliance.

Through the “Protecting God’s Children” program we train all adults who are employed or wish to volunteer within our parishes and agencies who have access to children. To find out more and to register for the "Protecting God's Children" training, click on the RED BOX below.

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Clergy and Religious Credibly Accused

Most Reverend Randolph Calvo, Bishop of the Diocese of Reno, released the names of priests and religious credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors. The list includes names of priests and religious who served in the 12 counties that currently comprise the Diocese of Reno: Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, Storey, and Washoe.

Determination of credibility was based on corroborating evidence, criminal prosecution or admission of guilt by the accused. The list includes:

Diocesan priests who formally belonged to (incardinated in) the Diocese of Reno who were credibly accused of committing sexual abuse of a minor.

Diocesan priests incardinated in another diocese who worked on a temporary basis in the Diocese of Reno who were credibly accused of committing sexual abuse of a minor in the Diocese of Reno.

Religious order priests who worked in the Diocese of Reno who were credibly accused of committing sexual abuse of a minor in the Diocese of Reno.

A diocesan priest who was ordained for service in another diocese and then transferred to and was incardinated in the Diocese of Reno who was credibly accused of committing sexual abuse of a minor in his prior diocese of incardination. This accusation came many years after his incardination in the Diocese of Reno and shortly before his death.

Victims who have been sexually abused by clergy, church employee or volunteer should contact civil authorities and/or the appropriate Victim's Assistance Coordinator or the Diocesan Office of Safe Environment. Victim’s Assistance Coordinators are:

Eastern Nevada: Marilyn Janka 775-753-9542
Western Nevada: vacant at this time
Diocesan Victim’s Assistance Hotline: 1-844-669-8911

Update on the Special Report of Diocesan Review Board

At the request of Bishop Calvo, non-employee lay members of the Diocesan Review Board (DRB) conducted a review of the policies, procedures and protocols to ensure the safety of youth and of the vulnerable adults in the Diocese of Reno. This review included on-site visits to diocesan entities operating within the Diocese of Reno. Bishop Calvo has accepted the Review Board’s special report, which includes its findings and recommendations. Currently, some of the recommendations have been implemented and others are under discussion. Over the past several months, members of the DRB have presented their findings and recommendations to the following leadership groups in the diocese:

Priests
Chancery Staff
Directors of Religious Education (DREs)
Youth Ministers
School Administrators
School Faculty

This report can be found by clicking HERE. More information on the Diocesan Review Board can be found here.

DIOCESAN REVIEW BOARD SPECIAL REPORT
SEPTEMBER 2019
INTRODUCTION
In this special report, the Diocesan Review Board (DRB) makes its findings and recommendations for maintaining a safe environment for children and vulnerable adults in the Diocese of Reno—the Catholic Church of Northern Nevada. The report is based on visits and interviews conducted over eight months which included all parishes, schools, and facilities operating under diocesan authority and direction. The DRB submits the report to the Bishop and Catholic community of northern Nevada with deepest thanks for this opportunity to serve. We also issue this report with confidence that maintaining a safe environment will remain a diocesan priority. We hope the report will help our Church recover from the scandal and trauma caused by the sexual abuse of minors and reports of past abuse that were concealed or mishandled by some church officials. We must remember: the vast majority of priests try to lead holy lives of service and they, too, have been demoralized by their brethren’s conduct. Both victims and innocent clergy need to heal from the wounds this scandal has wrought. We all do.