The Curia has issued a statement, indicating the form in which feasts will take place for 2021.

"For 2021, Parish feasts and other religious feasts that take place within Church buildings (Liturgical celebrations) will take place on the normal day they are celebrated, with full respect to the measures indicated by the Health Authorities."

As for celebrations outside the Church that are normally organised by the Church, like processions, these will only take place when and where the Health Authorities approve such activities.

The government and the Church authorities will be discussing the matter in the coming days but it is clear that mass activities will be prohibited this summer. Village feasts fall in this category, and they will not be allowed.

The meeting is intended to formalise the government’s decision.

Village feasts were all cancelled last year because of the CVovid-19 pandemic, although some events were held unofficially once restrictions had been eased. One such event in Santa Venera had led to the one of the largest clusters of the virus last summer.

Liturgical ceremonies inside churches will be permitted so long as restrictions imposed by the health authorities are followed.