Dear fellow priests, religious, deacons, theologians, dear brothers and sisters!

This Easter is like last year's marked by the coronavirus epidemic. We have hoped that the situation would improve throughout the year, but we have not been successful. One of Solomon's proverb is being fulfilled, saying, "Not getting what you want can make you feel sick, but a wish that comes true is a life-giving tree" (Pr 13: 12). To all of you who, at the thought of the epidemic, think that you are still not getting what you want, we call with the writer of the Letter to the Hebrews, "Now stand up straight! Stop your knees from shaking and walk a straight path. Then lame people will be healed, instead of getting worse" (He 12: 12-13).

We are entering the second year of the coronavirus epidemic. The most significant changes we are experiencing and that we need to accept are the many restrictions on public, social and church life and turning inward, to smaller communities and households, to our families and our souls and our hearts - as the Lord commanded Peter, "And when you have come back to me, help the others" (Lk 22: 32). Like the rest of public and social life, our religious rites and our religious liturgy have turned inwardly. We invite and encourage you to prepare all Easter rites and ceremonies that are feasible in your families and households with a simple heart and perform them there.

We trust the profession and the authorities and thank them for the extraordinary efforts they are making to limit and prevent the epidemic's spread. Easter, however, with the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord, is an even greater source of firm hope and conviction in the victory of the Passover Lamb, in the victory of meekness and patience, in the victory of goodness and love: "I have told you this, so that you might have peace in your hearts because of me. While you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up! I have defeated the world" (Jn 16: 33). As on the evening of that day, the first day of the week, may the risen Lord enter your houses and your homes this year and bring you the Easter greeting: "Peace be with you" (Jn 20: 19-20).

Following a government decree, the bishops instruct the following:

Holy Masses with the participation of the people are cancelled until further notice. Churches remain open for a personal prayer of the faithful, an individual reception of Holy Communion, and the Holy Confession sacrament. Priests should give believers access to the blessed water for domestic use.

Parish offices and other church offices may be open for meetings with one person only for urgent matters that cannot be postponed and arranged remotely.

Due to emergency, the faithful should watch live broadcasts of Holy Masses and holiday liturgy on television, radio or online from the local cathedral. An updated timetable is available on the Catholic Church website.

Bishops stipulate that priests ring the bells at usual hours both during the week and on Sundays and holidays. On Easter, priests should ring the bells at 8 a.m. to invite the faithful to Easter breakfast.

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