The Slovenian bishops were acquainted with the new Ordinance on temporary restriction on implementation of freedom of religion in the Republic of Slovenia of April 22, 2021 (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia No. 63/2021). Based on the Ordinance mentioned above, the bishops adopted the following instructions for the period from April 23, 2021, to May 2, 2021, inclusive:
- All priests and believers should intensify their prayer for the sick and end of the epidemic.
- Numerical restrictions of believers in religious rituals in churches.
The number of persons in religious rituals indoors is limited to one participant per 30 square meters of space, or more participants from a common household. Indoors, where the criteria from the previous paragraph would not otherwise allow the association of ten participants, the number of participants is allowed to maximum of 10, if it is possible to provide a distance of at least 1.5 meters between them, except between persons from a common household (e.g. smaller churches and chapels). Religious rituals are allowed only if the following conditions are met:
- It is necessary to ensure the minimum possible contact between the participants.
- Regular aeration / ventilation (e.g. open windows) of indoor spaces in which religious freedom is collectively exercised is obligatory.
- The use of protective masks indoors is obligatory.
- It is obligatory to disinfect hands when entering and leaving enclosed spaces where religious freedom is collectively exercised.
- Folk singing in churches is allowed
Church folk singing is allowed. Choral singing is prohibited unless persons from a common household perform it.
- Numerical restrictions of believers in outdoor religious rituals
The number of persons in religious rituals in open areas is limited to one participant per ten square meters of open area, or more participants from a common household, but not more than ten participants or common households. The interpersonal distance between the participants must be at least 1.5 meters, except between persons from a common household.
- Religious instructions (catechesis) and religious education
The limit on the number of persons does not apply to religious or spiritual education. The interpersonal distance between the participants must be at least 1.5 meters. Religious or spiritual education is allowed only under the condition that persons who perform religious or spiritual education, once a week or before the implementation of religious or spiritual education, if they do it occasionally, perform a PCR or rapid antigenic (HAG) testing. However, only those who have a negative test result can perform religious or spiritual education. Individuals who meet the conditions specified in the Ordinance (Article 7, paragraph 2, of the Ordinance on temporary restriction on implementation of freedom of religion in the Republic of Slovenia[1]) are also exempt from testing.
- Believers may receive Holy Communion outside of Holy Mass; priests should invite to communion their faithful who could not attend Holy Masses.
- The sacraments of penance, baptism, marriage and other liturgy may be celebrated with reasonable observance of the provisions for Holy Masses.
- The anointing of the sick is allowed subject to observance of government ordinances and the National Institute of Public Health’s recommendations.
- As the epidemiological picture begins to improve, the dioceses will prepare instructions for celebrating the first holy communions and holy confirmations and forward them to the parish priests.
- Church funerals are allowed following the instructions of the municipal services and regulations of the government and the National Institute of Public Health.
- A parish office may be opened following the condition there is only one person in the office at a time besides the priest or members of the same household.
Additional explanations regarding the implementation of religious and pastoral activities are available on the special website.
The bishops call on priests and religious to be available to the faithful and take into account government ordinances and recommendations of the National Institute of Public Health to protect health.
The bishops will adjust the instructions according to the weekly decisions of the government.
Msgr Stanislav Zore, Metropolitan Archbishop of Ljubljana and President of SBC
Msgr Alojzij Cvikl, Metropolitan Archbishop of Maribor and Vice President of SBC
Msgr Dr Jurij Bizjak, Bishop of Koper
Msgr Dr Peter Štumpf, Bishop of Murska Sobota
Msgr Andrej Glavan, Bishop of Novo mesto
Mr Rok Metličar, diocesan administrator of the Diocese of Celje
[1] The Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia
