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Different doors to enter and exit the church, whenever possible; posters with hygiene and spacing regulations published in highly visible places, mandatory masks for all the faithful and safeguarding that the minimum safety distance between those present is observed. The Portuguese bishops are preparing for the resumption of the mass, scheduled for the end of May, and because “protection must be guaranteed against infection”, this Friday they published the set of rules that must be followed from the moment they return to open the doors of the churches. .
In the document in which it lists them, the Portuguese Episcopal Conference announces the return after the “progressive control of the pandemic” and the “beginning of deflationary measures” and anticipates that the protection measures “must be implemented in each diocese, modifying them, if applicable, taking into account what the health authority has at all times. “
Organized in blocks, before mass, during and after, the guidelines are very practical. It begins by asking the faithful who are or feel sick not to attend mass, and “those who belong to groups at risk” should not attend Sunday mass. “For compelling reasons, they can go to mass during the week, when there are fewer believers,” the statement read.
Another recommendation mentions that “at the scheduled times for the celebrations, the clearly identifiable church entrance doors should be open to prevent anyone who enters from having to touch the handles or knobs.”
In addition to the recommendation to use different doors for entering and leaving churches, “there will be signposted one-way routes to prevent people from crossing.” At another time it is said that no one can enter without washing their hands at the entrance of the church with a disinfectant product, made available to the faithful.
The aforementioned safety distance implies that each person has, “only for himself, a minimum space of 4m2”, and it must be guaranteed, “with the appropriate measures”, that the distances are respected, either “restricting access to some benches, alternating lines, removing chairs or marking places with colors or other signs ”.
No distribution of paper or object.
The guidelines include the recommendation that “when the weather permits and there are adequate spaces” acts of worship are held outdoors. “The holy water sinks next to the church entrances will remain empty.”
During mass, the rule is that participating readers and singers disinfect their hands “before and after touching amber or books.” “There will be no song sheet and no leaflets will be distributed with the readings or any other object or paper.”
As for the containers to collect the collection, “they will not happen at the time of the offertory, but will be presented at the exit of the church by the order and reception team” designated and following the security criteria.
“Sacristians, ministering acolytes, and other church employees, equipped with disposable masks and gloves, must handle and clean the liturgical utensils, and dry them with paper towels, not reusable,” stipulates point 20.
“The gesture of peace”, a habitual greeting among the faithful, remains suspended, without communion being administered in the mouth and the cup. At this time of the celebration and “if the celebrating priest is older or belongs to a group at risk, he must be replaced by a deacon or extraordinary minister.”
After the mass, the faithful will leave the church “according to an order established in each Christian community”, without crowding in front of the church.
It is necessary to ensure “the ventilation of the church for at least 30 minutes” and “the points of contact (holy vessels, liturgical books, objects, benches, door handles and handles, sanitary facilities) must be carefully disinfected.”
The document ends with a series of other indications for specific celebrations, such as baptisms, weddings, first communions, and ordinations.
In Madeira, churches will reopen this Saturday, with a capacity reduced to a third and the obligation to comply with preventive measures, while carrying out processions is still prohibited, the Bishop of Funchal announced.
