All ecclesial, liturgical and devotional activities can once again be lived in the manner prior to the health emergency. The indication comes from the presidency of the Italian bishops' conference (CEI) in a letter to the bishops. "Accepting the communications of the WHO - says the CEI -, we point out that all ecclesial activities, liturgical, pious devotions, can return to be lived in the usual ways prior to the health emergency".
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This is without prejudice to the possibility for diocesan bishops to arrange or suggest some prudential norms such as hand sanitization before the distribution of Communion or the use of a mask for visiting the frail sick, elderly or immunosuppressed". The CEI Presidency believes "it is also appropriate that the celebrations broadcast in streaming cease or at least have decreased in their number".
"Activities at health, social and social care facilities will follow the rules proper to the places where they take place", the presidency of the Italian bishops still specifies, after recalling that "the director general of the World Health Organization, sharing the indication of the appropriate Technical Committee, announced last May 5 that Covid-19 no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international interest".
"It has been a difficult time - reads the letter to the bishops - in which our Christian communities have been close with prayer and works of charity to those who have suffered the disease and the consequences of the difficult economic phase". "We express feelings of gratitude - he continues - for the health personnel who with dedication and putting their lives at risk have taken care of the numerous hospitalized due to Covid-19 and for all those who, in any way, have given their contribution to alleviate the inconvenience and face the crisis: public administrations, law enforcement and supervision, school staff, workers engaged in primary activities, communication workers, entrepreneurs, pastoral workers and those who have done their utmost for the safety of the Church's environments, and many ordinary citizens".
"We want to remember - adds the CEI Presidency - the many people who lost their lives, including hundreds of priests who contracted the infection working for their ministry. As Pope Francis has insistently suggested, for them too we must face the many challenges with responsibility and determination, in the awareness that we are in the same fragile boat".