Bishops grant dispensation from participation in Sunday Mass

Bishops have granted a dispensation for Roman Catholic believers in Slovakia from mandatory participation in Sunday worship. This will remain in effect until further notice, the Episcopal Conference of Slovakia reported on Friday. Priests were asked to encourage believers, particularly those most vulnerable to COVID-19 such as the elderly and individuals with chronic illnesses, to watch religious services via the media or internet instead. The Episcopal Conference of Slovakia underlined the need to show increased tolerance and solidarity also in light of restrictions on the number of the believers allowed at places of worship. As of October 1, the number of people allowed to attend a mass event has been restricted to 50.