Rome: The day after the Diocese of Rome issued a decree to shut down the shrines in the Corona Territory, Vicar General Cardinal Angelo de Donatis withdrew the decree and ordered the re-opening of the shrines. He informed the parishioners that it was up to them to decide on the matter. The Cardinal said that when it comes to ecclesiastical measures, it is not enough to consider the general good of society, but also the faith of the people. He noted that for three weeks, the closure of the churches in Rome would create insecurity among believers.
Churches in Mission Headquarters will not be closed. He called on the clergy to stay close to the people of God. Do not admit to feeling abandoned. The decree is being amended so that the temples are closed and handed over to the clergy and believers so as not to create insecurity among believers. He urged the believing community to abide by the quarantine law issued by the Italian government and remain at home until the third of April.
Meanwhile, Cardinal Angelo has relaxed the church’s law that the Sunday Mass is a compulsory service. According to the new decree, non-parish churches and other buildings used for religious purposes will remain closed. In monastic institutions, only their members have access.
Although the liturgy was not offered in the churches of Rome since the 9th of March, believers were allowed to enter the liturgy and worship there until the decree was issued. According to figures released by the Ministry of Health, 172 coronary cases have been confirmed in Lazio, a suburb of Rome. Around 200,000 people across the country died of coronavirus.
