Unvaccinated priests will not be able to distribute the host for communion.

Given the pandemic situation "in constant and serious worsening", the bishop of the diocese of Teano-Calvi (Caserta), Giacomo Cirulli, decided this with a decree.

The ban is also extended to unvaccinated deacons and lay people. The bishop also established the suspension of "all pastoral, catechetical and formative activities in the presence".

Giacomo Cirulli recalled the words of Pope Francis: "Vaccinating oneself with vaccines authorized by the competent authorities is an act of love", he said, also recalling how the hosts on the altar must be kept "strictly covered in the foreseen sacred vessels".

(Unioneonline / L)