Paris, April 3, 2021. The Archbishop of Paris, Michel Aupetit, appears without a mask while celebrating a mass on the occasion of the Easter holidays.

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KTO TV

  • The Paris prosecutor's office announced on Tuesday the opening of an investigation for "endangering the lives of others" after the holding of a mass without respect for sanitary measures in the church of Saint-Eugène Sainte-Cécile .

  • Images of Easter Masses broadcast on YouTube show that other churches in the capital have violated respect for wearing masks and social distancing.

  • Michel Aupetit, the Archbishop of Paris, appears himself without a mask touching the faithful and consecrating the Eucharist.

"If you listen attentively to the voice of the Lord your God […], I will not strike you with any of the diseases with which I struck the Egyptians, for I am the Lord who heals you…" The Diocese of Paris would he have taken the Old Testament (Exodus 15,26) a little too literally, at the risk of flouting the health instructions linked to the coronavirus pandemic?

Targeted since Tuesday by an investigation by the Paris prosecutor's office for "endangering the lives of others", the parish of Saint-Eugène Sainte-Cécile, located in the 9th arrondissement, is not the only one not to have respected the sanitary rules during Easter ceremonies last weekend.

Unmasked priests, well-filled churches and baptisms without special hygiene precautions: the images of the many masses, posted by the specialized channel KTO on YouTube since this weekend, do not suffer any dispute.

When the Archbishop of Paris embraces the faithful

However, in the Church as elsewhere, the rules are clear.

"They are the subject of a decree dating from December and which was communicated to all the parishes," indicates Karine Dalle, the director of communication for the diocese.

And they are obviously on our website… ”

Between the instructions on how to give communion to the faithful and the hydro-alcoholic gel to be offered at the entrance to each building, there is, in black on white, the mention indicating that "the wearing of a mask is compulsory for all to from 11 years old ”.

And yet, this does not prevent many priests from celebrating masses without this accessory.

Starting with Michel Aupetit, the Archbishop of Paris, himself.

The images of the "paschal watch" which he celebrated on Saturday in the church of Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois, thus show him officiating with his face uncovered.

Alongside other priests and choirboys, some of whom are also unmasked, we see him reading the Gospel but also putting his hands on parishioners, and even embracing some catechumens with a swaddle. receiving baptism that day.

Paris, April 3, 2021. The Archbishop of Paris, Michel Aupetit, appears without a mask while celebrating a mass on the occasion of the Easter holidays.

- KTO TV

The consecration of the Eucharist without a mask

A situation that has the gift of annoying Matteo, a Parisian believer.

“I was very frustrated a year ago when churches were closed due to the Covid.

But there, after the year of shit that we have just lived, we cannot accept that the priests make mistakes like that.

This is not possible, especially since most of the parishioners are elderly, therefore at risk… ”

Wearing a mask would have almost become optional if we are to believe Cédric Burgun, priest and vice-dean of the Faculty of Canon Law of the Catholic University of Paris.

“It is not written, but we consider that the priest who celebrates mass can remove the mask because he is often alone in the choir of the church.

And that it is easier to pronounce the homily, he confides.

But obviously, all the priests put on the mask again at the time of communion… ”Except when they forget… The images of the“ Paschal watch ”indeed show Michel Aupetit consecrating the Eucharist without having put the precious square of fabric back on his mouth and the nose.

Just like the choir members responsible for leading the ceremony ...

Paris, April 3, 2021. The Archbishop of Paris, Michel Aupetit, appears without a mask while celebrating a mass on the occasion of the Easter holidays.

- KTO TV

Paris, April 3, 2021. During an Easter mass, a group of choristers do not wear masks.

- KTO TV

A reservation system like in Italy?

And this is not an unprecedented situation.

For example, the video of the mass celebrated on Sunday in the Notre-Dame de la Salette church, in the 15th arrondissement, also reveals unmasked priests and close to each other, and very full pews.

“It is normally advisable to leave an empty seat between two parishioners but if a family of two adults and two children arrives, they will of course be seated side by side, nuance on this subject Cédric Burgun.

The images are sometimes misleading… ”

Paris, April 4, 2021. Priests celebrate a maskless mass on the occasion of Easter in the Notre-Dame de la Salette church.

- KTO TV

Paris, April 4, 2021. Priests celebrate a maskless mass on the occasion of Easter in the Notre-Dame de la Salette church.

- KTO TV

Not for Matteo.

“In fact, I really don't understand this lightness,” continues the parishioner.

I believe that it would not be complicated to set up a registration / reservation system on the Internet in order to limit the number of faithful in each church.

I saw this in Italy.

Why not with us?

"

A question which is, in any case, not on the agenda.

Asked about the possible measures that could be put in place after the opening of the investigation into Saint-Eugène Sainte-Cécile, Karine Dalle merely indicates that "discussions are underway internally".

While acknowledging, a little annoyed, that the diocese “regularly” receives complaints from the faithful on the current situation.

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  • Catholicism

  • Coronavirus

  • Priest

  • Easter

  • Church

  • Religion

  • Confinement

  • Health