Before the controversy escalated, the prefecture authorized the participation of the faithful in the Sunday mass, which will be shortened and cannot last more than 30 minutes to comply, including travel, with the allowed one-hour outing during the lockdown.
It was the bishop of the diocese of Nice who communicated this, specifying that instructions to this effect would be given to priests. This is fortunate because the lively Father Fiorini of the Saint-Pierre Arène parish had already donned the “yellow vest” of the protester:
The prefecture informs us that there is no worship… At the bishop’s request, we will comply with the guidelines, but I hope that in the face of such a ridiculous decision with questionable sanitary interest* you will think about it… and remember all this (and the rest) during upcoming elections!
Your physical health does NOT depend on your presence at MASS. But your moral health DOES! Could there be an abuse of power?*
The church of ST PIERRE D’ARENE (62 rue de France) remains open every day including Saturday and Sunday from 8 am to 6 pm so that you can come and pray (on the certificate, check the box for shopping to do or urgent family reasons)°
Beyond the inaccuracies (no prohibition to go to the church during the allowed outing hour)°, the polemical tone*, the “political” reminders, the suggestive statements*, the call to not comply with administrative rules, sound off for a minister of religion who is expected to act and react with discernment and not by outbursts.
