Communication of the HCBC

Driven by our responsibility towards the ones committed to our care, taking into account the opinion of epidemic experts, the restrictions recently introduced due to the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and the special characteristics of our Church, we reinforce our earlier measures and make the following provisions until revoked:

1.Churches as a place of spiritual recovery and prayer are of special importance in the state of emergency declared due to the coronavirus; therefore, we keep our churches open. Public masses may only be celebrated in line with official curfew and other restrictions according to the decision of the competent ordinary. We shall act in a responsible and careful manner, taking into account state epidemic provisions with special attention to the use of disinfectants, mask wearing and social distancing.

2.According to the provisions of the Code of Canon Law, the diocesan bishop, whenever he judges necessary, may grant a dispensation from the obligation of attending a Holy Mass on Sunday (CIC Can. 87 §1.; Can. 1245). The ordinaries of the Hungarian Catholic Bishops’ Conference grant this dispensation again until further notice in order to avoid contagion.

3.Besides our churches, we shall still adhere to relevant state provisions in Church institutions and parishes, during the administration of Sacraments and in our educational, social and health care institutions at all times.

According to Canon 838 of the Code of Canon Law, the diocesan bishops and others made equivalent to them, may enact different measures.

A decision about Easter services will be made later.

This disposition concerns the Latin rite dioceses of Hungary.

We shall offer our Lenten prayers for our nation, especially for those, who are affected by the pandemic and those, who keep working for us every day. We shall take care of our elderly and endangered brothers and sisters with love.

Budapest, 5 March 2021

Hungarian Catholic Bishops’ Conference