By Video And Social Distance, Atlanta’s Archbishop Installed

Atlanta’s new archbishop was installed Wednesday in a Mass that tweaked Catholic traditions with social distancing among priests and video messages from church leaders who could not attend during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Mass began with Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer knocking three times on the large wooden doors of Christ the King Cathedral in Atlanta. He was welcomed inside by priests who kept their distance as they walked toward the altar to begin the service.

Only a handful of people attended in person, with some of them seated strategically across the main nave while others watched from the choir loft. They applauded rather than hugged as Hartmayer became the new leader of the diocese.