On Monday, March 8, 2021, the Slovenian bishops met at the 121st regular session of the Slovenian Bishops' Conference (SBC), held online due to the epidemic. At the session, the bishops first welcomed the appointment of the new Bishop of Celje, Msgr Dr Maksimilijan Matjaž and wished him God's blessing in his new, responsible job. During the session, the bishops discussed the instructions for celebrating the Holy Week and the feast of Easter. The instructions will be published on the SBC website in the coming days and may still be partially adapted to the epidemiological situation. The bishops authorized the parish priests to decide whether religious students in particular parishes are adequately prepared to receive the sacraments. If it is not possible to prepare children to receive the sacraments due to the epidemic, the sacraments' reception may be postponed. The bishops designated the following Sunday, March 14, 2021, a day of prayer for the remembrance of the victims of the COVID-19 epidemic. The bishops also set Friday, March 26, 2021, a day of prayer for victims of sexual abuse. To this end, priests and believers will receive a special prayer prepared by the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. At the end of the session, the bishops decided to award St. Cyril and Methodius's medal to the renowned academic sculptor Mirsad Begić for his life's work, especially in the field of Christian sacral art.
Dr Tadej Strehovec
Secretary-General of SBC
