Priests not to give sign of peace to Mass goers, says Vatican

You’ve seen the couple kiss during the sign of peace, or the priest who leaves the altar to shake hands with the congregation. You may even have crossed the aisle to shake hands with a neighbour but no more according to the Vatican, who say these are abuses.

From now on the sign of peace should be exchanged by shaking hands with only those in close proximity and it should be done in a sober and serious manner.

It has taken nine years of consultation but the Vatican’s ‘Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments has said that the sign of peace at Mass should be retained but abuses should be ended and “more appropriate gestures” found instead of “familiar and profane gestures of greeting”.