Despite tens of thousands of cases of Covid-19 every day, the faithful will be able to celebrate Christmas mass. LCI guest this Friday morning, Monsignor Patrick Chauvet, Rector of Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, hopes that there will be “enough people” in the Churches on this December 24th. Because everyone will be accepted. “For the moment, there is neither gauge nor distance”, he assures, even if the shadow of new restrictions hangs over France.
In places of worship, accessible without a health pass, barrier gestures must be scrupulously observed. “As soon as you enter, we check that you have the mask and we put gel on you”, indicates Mgr Chauvet. “There is no gesture of peace, but simply nods. The priest who gives communion puts on gel just before. And there will be no hot chocolate at the exit.”
After Christmas, due to the surge of the Omicron variant which could become the majority in the country in a few days, is the Church preparing for difficult days? “We are already thinking about distancing”, replies Bishop Chauvet. “It may be necessary to separate the chairs again. I also fear the curfew, the most important masses take place in the evening. But in such a crisis, places of peace and healing are needed.”