Bishops’ conference tightens corona rule for services in Catholic churches

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Due to a significant increase in the number of infections, the Catholic Church is tightening its Corona regulations: The FFP2 mask remains mandatory at public services. In addition, however, all those providing a liturgical service must provide proof of 3G. The mask requirement can be waived for “celebrations for a single occasion” such as baptism, first communion, confirmation or marriage ceremonies if the 2G rule is specifically agreed for all. There are also tightenings for choir singing. These are the most important changes in the framework order of the Bishops’ Conference, which is valid throughout Austria as of Saturday, November 13, and which was decided at its plenary meeting on Thursday.

Explicitly, the bishops hold, as before, to the fundamental waiver of the 3G or 2G rule for the co-celebrators: “In order not to exclude anyone from the celebration of public worship from the outset, participation is still possible without evidence of a low epidemiological risk.” The protective measures that remain in place, however, are necessary to celebrate religious services without risk and with dignity, he said. “Essential requirements are personal responsibility and consideration.”

Exempt from the mask requirement are children up to age 6 and people who, with a doctor’s confirmation, cannot wear mouth-nose protection (MNS) for health reasons. Pregnant women and children six to 14 may wear an MNS instead of the FFP2 mask. Masks are not required for open-air church services. Numerous hygiene measures must still be observed. For example, disinfectant must be provided, and a welcome service is to receive visitors and point out the rules. For “religious celebrations on a one-off occasion” – i.e. baptisms, first communions, confirmations and weddings – a prevention concept and a prevention officer continue to be mandatory.

It is stated that liturgical services – especially those of altar servers – are “essential and desired”. What is new is that the presider of the celebration and all other liturgical services must have 3G proof and, in addition, must thoroughly wash or disinfect their hands before the celebration. “The presider of the celebration is responsible for monitoring compliance,” it explicitly states.

Because communal singing and speaking are essential parts of the liturgical celebration, they are not subject to restriction. With services in closed areas thereby the mask obligation applies freely. However, there are more stringent restrictions on choir singing and choir rehearsals: up to 25 people, they are only permitted with a 2.5G certificate; from 26 people, a 2G certificate is obligatory. Evidence must be documented with the choir director.

The framework regulation allows dioceses, as recently, a regionally autonomous approach to corona control. Thus, both tightening and easing are possible in concert with state regulations. The framework regulation applies only to church services. For other church events such as group meetings, parish cafes or church concerts, “the state regulations for the particular type of event apply,” it states.

After the last Corona agreement with the Ministry of Culture expired at the end of June, the churches and religious communities agreed that they would “continue to take precautionary measures for the protection of the faithful at their own discretion.” The Bishops’ Conference then adopted a framework of regulations, effective July 1, which has since been tightened twice.

Numerous hygiene rules

One of the general rules is that disinfectant dispensers must be clearly visible at the church entrance. Surfaces or objects (e.g. door handles, but also books, pews, ambo) that are repeatedly touched must be cleaned and disinfected frequently. Churches must be “ventilated as best as possible before and after services.” “When holy water basins are filled, the water must be changed frequently (at least 2x per week) and the basin must be thoroughly cleaned each time,” it states.

“Anyone who is ill, feels ill, or who is suspected of having a contagious disease must refrain from participating in a common worship service,” it explicitly states. Such persons, therefore, “may not perform a liturgical service for their own protection and for the protection of others.” “Those who have concerns or are unsettled for health reasons are invited to worship at home as a domestic church and to join with others in prayer,” the statement continues, referring to video meetings and worship broadcasts in various media.

“Insofar as it is not possible for the liturgical services (priest, lector, cantor, etc.) to wear the FFP2 mask during the celebration, they are exempt from wearing it for the period of time that is absolutely necessary, but to compensate for this, they must observe sufficient safety distances and the following concretizations for actions in ritual performance,” reads an exception to the mask requirement that has already applied up to now. Since frequent donning and doffing of the FFP2 mask is problematic, that person who leads the service – i.e., usually the priest – will generally not wear a mask from the entrance to communion, he said.

“Parishes keep their churches open during the day and invite people to personal prayer,” it is again noted. As before, people are not allowed to shake hands during the service for the greeting of peace. Baskets for the collection should not be passed around, but placed at the entrance and exit, for example.

Mass and reception of communion

There are also detailed rules for celebrating Mass and receiving Communion: During Mass, the hosts must be covered until Communion is administered. Shortly before distributing the hosts, the priest must put on the FFP2 mask at the credence in the altar area and thoroughly wash or disinfect his hands. This also applies to the other ministers of Communion, “they receive Communion for hygienic reasons only after the congregation has gone to Communion,” it is stated as before.

During the communion course, “a sufficient distance” is to be kept by the faithful. As has been the case since May 19, the words “The Body of Christ – Amen” are again spoken when the priest or faithful receive Communion. “Hand Communion is strongly recommended,” it is emphasized, and it goes on to say that “with Holy Communion in their hands, the faithful step sufficiently far to the side to receive Communion in peace and dignity,” lifting the FFP2 mask. Regarding oral communion, as before, it is “possible only if it is received at the conclusion of the communion course.”

Sacraments and 2G proof

For the celebration of baptism, first communion, confirmation and marriage, the general obligation to wear a FFP2 mask applies. In addition, a prevention concept is obligatory for these “celebrations for a unique occasion”. For these special types of celebrations, the obligation to wear an FFP2 mask can be waived if instead a 2G proof is provided by all, which is a tightening, because previously the 3G proof was sufficient for this. The initiative for this must come from the celebrating community, in which case the decision must be made in advance by the head of the celebration. At the same time, a suitable procedure for the control of the 2G proof must be agreed upon and its observance must be ensured.

Details concern, for example, the baptismal water, which is specially prepared and blessed for each baptismal celebration. The baptismal minister must wear an FFP2 mask during the pouring over of water and the subsequent anointing. At the wedding ceremony, it is regulated that a trellis of guests may be formed while maintaining a sufficient distance. At the First Communion, the children are allowed to take off the mouth-nose protection for the reception of the host, as was the case last time. At Confirmation, the Confirmation minister puts on the FFP2 mask, disinfects his hands and signs the forehead of the confirmand with chrism. The placing of the hand on the head of the confirmand is omitted, as well as the handshake as a sign of peace. No special distances need to be kept between the confirmand, the confirmand and the godparents.

Furthermore, the “confession can only take place outside the confessional, preferably in a sufficiently large and well-ventilated room” in which “sufficient distances” must be maintained. Placing a plexiglass screen on a table in the middle can be helpful; “otherwise, wearing an FFP2 mask is necessary.”

In the case of communion to the sick and viaticum (communion on the way) outside hospitals and nursing homes, the visit must be well discussed and prepared with the relatives in advance. Before and after the visit, the priest must wash or disinfect his hands thoroughly.

At funerals, the previous corona-related rules for the service continue to apply for the wake, Requiem or Liturgy of the Word in the church. “At the cemetery and in interment halls, state regulations apply,” the framework states. While this was limited by the state to 50 people for a long time, this upper limit has already been lifted since May 19.

Prevention concept

Baptisms, first communions, confirmations and weddings are special forms of worship, both in terms of the liturgy and the people attending the service. For this reason, special Covid safety measures such as the development of a prevention concept and the appointment of a prevention officer are obligatory for such “religious celebrations on a one-off occasion” – in addition to the General Hygiene Measures of the Framework Regulations. This is again stated in the new framework order of the Bishops’ Conference, to which an “Information on the Prevention Concept” for baptism, confirmation, first communion and marriage ceremonies was also published on Tuesday as a supplement. It contains “General Hygiene Measures,” regulations for “Controlling the Flow of People,” for “Contact Person Management,” the use of sanitary facilities, and rules of conduct in the event of an infection.

If a larger number of people is expected, then markings and visible signs are recommended. But one-way rules for entering and leaving the church should also be made. A welcome or steward service at the entrance should provide guidance on how to comply with the necessary measures.

Contact person management

Contact person management is necessary, i.e. the recording of the congregation present, in order to be able to trace who was present at the service in the event of an infection. Contact sheets should be filled out for this purpose. The data of the persons attending (name and telephone number) recorded on these sheets are to be kept for a period of 28 days. Processing of the data for other purposes is generally not permitted. It is also recommended to take photos of the celebration congregation for the purpose of documentation and assignment. After expiry of the retention period, the data or photos must be deleted immediately.

However the data collection is handled in concrete terms, it must be ensured that it is possible to determine in retrospect who was where in the church in order to be able to notify the persons in the event of infection.

The church relies heavily on the cooperation of worshipers in the recommended measures. For example, the families of those being baptized are to prepare a list of co-celebrants (with at least their name and telephone number) in advance, which is then to be checked against those actually present at the celebration itself and handed over to the person presiding over the baptismal celebration at the end of the service. The same procedure should essentially be used in the context of a First Communion. And confirmands should also provide such a list of co-celebrating relatives; bridal couples such a list of invited guests.

Prevention Officer

Should there be a suspected case during or after the celebration, “those concerned must immediately clarify whether an infection with SARS-CoV-2 is present,” the church handout continues. In the case of an infection, the parish is to be informed immediately in addition to the responsible health authority. And, “The parish is available to provide information to the competent authority.”

An essential element of the church’s safety measures is also the appointment of a prevention officer for these special forms of worship, who must ensure compliance with the concept. Admittedly, the commissioner, as well as the persons or stewards assigned to the celebrations who monitor compliance with the prevention measures, “cannot be held legally responsible for any failure to comply with the guidelines,” as it literally states.