On Easter Sunday, Archbishop Fontana asked in one of the evening television programmes “why can we go to the market to buy artichokes, but we must not go to church for the blessing with olive oil.”

On Holy Saturday, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte wrote an article for Avvenire, the official episcopal newspaper, to thank the clergy for their cooperation. “First of all, I would like to express my gratitude for making the painful decision to celebrate the sine populo liturgy (“without people”), being aware of the greater good associated with this difficult chapter in our national history,” said Conte, whose uncle was a Capuchin brother and assistant to Saint Father Pio. 

“The Italian Church has once again demonstrated its natural calling to dialogue and cooperation with civilian institutions as well as its ability to read the signs of the times with wisdom and insight,” added the head of the Italian government. 

However, now that the Italian authorities have begun to relax some of the restrictions, allowing the reopening of bookstores or stores for babies and children. Archbishop Riccardo Fontana has clearly questioned the continuing severe restrictions imposed on the Church. 

“Why is it allowed to enter supermarkets in a reasonable number but not to church?” he asked. He added that the local church is obeying the guidelines of the authorities, but “there are limits to sacramental life” and what is currently experienced by the faithful and clergy is something terrible (…) The inability to receive the sacraments is the reason for the great suffering of the people,” he explained.

Source: pch24.pl