This story was updated at 11:25 a.m. with context from Bishop Peter Baldacchino's letter to diocesan priests.

LAS CRUCES — The Las Cruces Diocese on Wednesday lifted a ban on the public celebration of Mass, becoming the first diocese in the nation to do so amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the diocese is still encouraging parishes to celebrate Mass outdoors in parking lots and to stream celebrations online, and will still abide by orders given by New Mexico health officials to limit congregations to five or fewer people.

But for parishes that choose to do so, a few people will be allowed inside to attend Mass in person.

This reverses a Las Cruces Diocese mandate announced March 16 to suspend most parish events, including Mass, to help stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Since then, many parishes have been streaming services online.

The Catholic News Agency reports Bishop Peter Baldacchino is the first in the nation to amend a declared diocesan ban on public Masses.

Baldacchino is the first to "open the doors again," confirmed diocese spokesman Christopher Velasquez to the Sun-News.

The bishop detailed his amended order in a letter sent to fathers within the Las Cruces Diocese, which covers southern New Mexico Catholic parishes.

"We, as priests, are called to bring the Word of Life to people, we are called to minister the life-giving sacraments. Televised Masses have been at attempt to bridge the gap during this time, but this is not enough," Baldacchino writes in his letter.

"In addition to this mission with which we are entrusted, we also have the mission to keep people safe. The two must be equally pursued," he writes.

If a parish chooses to hold Mass indoors, no more than five people can be inside and parishioners will be seated at least six feet from each other.

"We want to keep that option open for people that have that yearning," Velasquez said.

Velasquez stressed that anyone feeling sick or at risk for COVID-19 should remain at home and view the livestream of Mass online.

The diocese is recommending priests celebrate Mass outdoors and specifically recommends setting up an altar in the parish parking lot with parishioners remaining in their vehicles with an empty space between each vehicle.

Some parishes in the Las Cruces Diocese practiced parking lot Masses during Holy Week, which ended with Easter Sunday.

"We had a good experience with the drive-in model," Velasquez said. "We thought it went great."

Baldacchino has also made a provision for priests to resume weddings and funerals while maintaining state and federal government regulations.

"It's for immediate family only," Velasquez said.

In his letter, Baldacchino also spells out how priests can distribute communion "in the safest way possible."

Baldacchino points to media reports of a rise in divorces, drug use and alcohol abuse in the last month to back up his decision to reopen churches.

"Simply put, in the midst of financial uncertainty, fear for one’s health, pandemic induced anxiety and confinement to their homes, people need a word of hope," he writes.

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The diocese also notes parishioners are still dispensed from the obligation to attend Sunday Masses.

On Saturday, the eve of Easter, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced that public health orders in effect through April would now apply to church services, which had previously been exempted.

Baldacchino responded to that mandate in his letter, writing: "I strongly disagree."

"While it is true that we need to take every reasonable precaution to reduce the spread of Coronavirus, it is equally true that we offer the greatest ‘essential service’ to our people," he writes.

Baldacchino also writes that he's been personally affected by COVID-19, writing that he's "lost two close friends," describing them as priests with whom he's studied.

Legacy Church, which operates in Bernalillo and Santa Fe counties filed a federal complaint challenging the ban, arguing it violates the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Legacy has asked a judge for a temporary restraining order. A decision on the restraining order is expected Friday.

Read the letter:

Lucas Peerman can be reached at 57-541-5446, lpeerman@lcsun-news.com or @LittleGuyInATie on Twitter.