SANTIAGO – The head of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Santiago said on Friday that he will remove the 15-month mass attendance restrictions imposed during the pandemic.

In a letter to the priest and the diocese on Thursday night, Bishop Robert W. McIlroy announced these changes with “deep joy, hope, and gratitude.”This move is recently Shift to state and local public health guidelines McElroy said this was developed in consultation with the bishops of John Dolan and Ramón Bejarano and the Executive Committee of the Presbyterian Church.

In a letter released on Friday, he said: “From today, all restrictions on worship capacity and space, as well as all restrictions on meetings and social events, have been lifted.” “Masks will still be optional, because CDC is recognized It is recommended to wear a mask For those who have not yet been vaccinated. “

He said that although the diocese lifted restrictions on the use of the hand or tongue, the leaders plan to decide when to reintroduce the shared Holy Grail “at some time in the future.”

“It is recommended that non-family members who bring the Eucharist to the patient should be vaccinated,” he said.

Those who are 14 years of age and younger will still be required to wear masks in faith-forming classes until that age group’s vaccine is available. In addition, the full exemption for Catholics from attending Sunday Mass will end on July 1.

“Before closing this letter, I must express my deep gratitude to you for your tremendous pastoral compassion, enthusiasm, creativity, and cooperation over the past 15 months,” McElroy said.