Bishops have condemned the Italian government for not allowing mass to go ahead after a plan to gradually relax coronavirus lockdown measures was announced.

Senior members of the Catholic Church claimed the timetable “arbitrarily” left out the religious gathering which has been banned since early March in an effort to limit the spread of Covid-19.

On Sunday, the prime minister laid out how Italy would begin removing restrictions in the weeks ahead, including allowing funerals to take place again from the start of next week with a maximum of 15 people present.

However, the timetable from 4 May until 1 June did not say when mass can resume.

Italy‘s bishops said they could “not accept seeing the exercise of freedom of religion being compromised” in a strongly-worded statement on Sunday night.

They claimed they had suggested to the government measures to resume the service while respecting new safety norms.

The minister for equal opportunities and family also spoke out about how the plans did not mention mass, saying: “So, we can safely visit a museum but we can’t celebrate a religious service?” Elena Bonetti added in her tweet: “This decision is incomprehensible. It must be changed.”

Italian museums and libraries can reopen from 18 May.

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The bishops said the government had a duty “to distinguish between its responsibility to give precise health regulations and the responsibility of the church, which is called to organise Christian community life, while respecting the measures but in full autonomy”.

In response, the Italian government acknowledged the bishops’ complaint and said it would study how to let believers participate safely in liturgical gatherings “as soon as possible”.

Most of Italy‘s churches have remained open during the crisis, but only for individual prayer.

Priests have reportedly been fined for going ahead with services or traditions during the lockdown, including one for walking around his town with a crucifix during the lockdown.

People have been ordered to stay at home in Italy unless it is essential, and all public gatherings and religious ceremonies banned to avoid the virus spreading.

More than 197,600 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the country to date, according to official figures.

Meanwhile, the death toll stood at 26,644 on Monday.