France’s Catholic bishops have reacted angrily to the strict limits on public Masses announced by President Emmanuel Macron as part of his planned gradual lifting of the current lockdown.
Public religious services, banned for the past four weeks because of a jump in coronavirus infections, can resume from 28 November but with congregations limited to 30 people, Macron said in a speech.
“The French Bishops' Conference (CEF) is both disappointed and surprised by the announcement made tonight by the president,” said a statement issued by the CEF. “This unrealistic and inapplicable measure is quite disrespectful of the reality of the religious practice of Catholics."
CEF President Archbishop Éric de Moulins-Beaufort tweeted: “Catholics have not been heard. We ask that this measure be revised.” The CEF statement said the other Christian leaders in France – representing the Protestant and Orthodox minorities – joined him in this appeal.
“On what criteria are we going to select the 30 lucky ones who will be authorised by Mr Macron to take part in Mass?” asked Bishop Marc Aillet of Bayonne.
Macron, who unveiled a lockdown lifting in three stages, left unclear the rules for public religious services during the second period between 15 December and 20 January. The third phase, which would end most limits, could start in January if the health situation allows it.
Although he said the peak of a second infection wave had passed and a vaccine would arrive soon, Macron warned the French they must still take precautions against the virus. “We will not return to normal soon,” he declared.
Catholic and other faith leaders were surprised by the severity of the 30-person limit, which will apply equally to small churches and large cathedrals.
The CEF said this was “not at all in line” with recent discussions between faith leaders and the government. At those meetings, religious leaders proposed reserving a space of four square metres around each participant and setting a maximum occupancy of one-third of a building’s usual limit.
“Catholics are aware of the health issues and are able to demonstrate total responsibility in the application of protection rules,” the statement added.
While most bishops reluctantly accepted the second lockdown, small groups of lay Catholics have been publicly protesting to demand a reopening of their churches, assembling outside on Sundays for what they call their religious rights.
Macron gave no justification for the 30-person limit. In their discussions, government officials have cited church broadcasts in recent months where they said participants clearly did not respect health restrictions set when public religious services resumed after the first lockdown last spring.
There have also been a few reports of some religious meetings larger than allowed, leading to an outbreak of infections.
The four square metre rule, one of those restrictions, allowed average parish churches to safely welcome double or triple the 30-person limit. A large church or cathedral could easily hold more.
“The Advent season that opens before us is a fundamental time of preparation for Christmas. The Sunday gathering is an essential stage for the faithful during this period,” the CEF statement said.
In an editorial, the Catholic weekly La Vie said religions in France must not be more limited than businesses. “To say nothing is to risk validating the idea that religious practice could only be private,” it warned.
Among other measures announced in his speech, Macron said small shops could reopen as of Saturday and individuals could leave their homes for three hours daily within a 20-km radius, compared to one hour and a one-km radius now.
From 15 December, all restrictions on movement would be lifted but a nighttime curfew imposed between 9pm and 7am. Exceptions would be made for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Cinemas, theatres and museums could also reopen.
If all goes well, restaurants will reopen from 20 January. Secondary schools and universities are expected also to reopen fully but no date has been mentioned for bars and clubs.
30 PEOPLE PER CELEBRATION: THE CATHOLICS WERE NOT HEARD
The French Bishops' Conference (CEF) is both disappointed and surprised by the announcement made tonight by the President of the Republic concerning the number of 30 persons authorized within the framework of
the public exercise of worship from November 29.
This announcement is not at all in line with the discussions that have taken place in recent weeks with the ministers concerned. From this evening, with representatives of other Christian denominations, Bishop Eric de Moulins-Beaufort, President of the CEF, called on the President of the Republic to ask
that this measure be revised. Indeed, this unrealistic and inapplicable measure is quite disrespectful of the reality of the religious practice of Catholics.
The Catholic Church has proposed in its protocol a space of 4m2 around each faithful and a partial occupancy of the church at 1/3 of the usual capacity.
Catholics are aware of the health issues and are able to demonstrate total
responsibility in the application of protection rules. The announced measure seems to ignore this meaning responsibilities they have already demonstrated since the start of the epidemic.
The Advent season that opens before us is a fundamental time of preparation for Christmas. The Sunday gathering is an essential stage for the faithful during this period.
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