Driven by our responsibility towards the ones committed to our care, taking into account the opinion of epidemic experts, the easing of restrictions after the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic due to the increasing number of vaccinated people and the special characteristics of our Church, we modify our earlier measures and take the following steps starting from 10 May 2021:
1. With our current communication, we revoke the general dispensation no. 521/2021 from the obligation of attending a Holy Mass on Sunday (CIC Can. 87 §1.; Can. 1245) previously granted on 5 March.
2. The general moral principles remain valid; therefore those, who are not able to attend a Holy Mass in person due to their situation (for example due to sickness or quarantine), shall celebrate Sundays by praying, reading the Scriptures, praying the liturgy of the hours, joining in the broadcast of a Holy Mass or in any other way.
3. We shall still 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. These rules must be observed during parish education and community gatherings as well. The relevant epidemic provisions shall still be observed during public liturgies.
According to Canon 838 of the Code of Canon Law, the diocesan bishops and others made equivalent to them, may enact different measures.
This disposition concerns the Latin rite dioceses of Hungary.
We would like to thank our brothers in priesthood for their service, the members of our Church for their persistence and prayer and everyone for their commitment on all walks of life in these extraordinary times. We shall keep praying and continue to pay special attention to each other.
Budapest, 7 May 2021
Hungarian Catholic Bishops’ Conference