Catholic leaders have written to churches to tell them that singing is off the cards for now as they prepare to re-open after months of lockdown.
Churches across the country are preparing to resume public worship from 4 July as the Government continues to ease lockdown restrictions.
But in a message to parishes in England, Cardinal Vincent Nichols and other Catholic leaders warned that the end of lockdown did not mean a return to business as usual.
"With the easing of restrictions on worship with congregations, we tread carefully along the path that lies ahead," they said.
"Our lives have been changed by the experience of the pandemic and it is clear that we cannot simply return to how things were before lockdown.
"We remain centred on the Lord Jesus and His command at the Last Supper to 'do this in memory of me.'
"We must now rebuild what it means to be Eucharistic communities, holding fast to all that we hold dear, while at the same time exploring creative ways to meet changed circumstances."
Churches that have already opened for private prayer are maintaining social distancing and regular cleaning to minimise the risks of transmission.
"We remain committed to making sure these systems of hygiene and infection control meet Government and public health standards," they said.
Despite the reopening of churches, the letter said that the obligation to attend Sunday Mass "remains suspended".
It added that a "significant" number of churches have not yet re-opened because they are unable to meet all the requirements.
There are other restrictions, too, with Mass to be shorter than before lockdown and with no congregational singing.
A limit is also being imposed on the number of people who can attend Mass, "to be determined locally in accordance with social distancing requirements," while parishes are being asked to continue livestreaming services for the vulnerable who are still shielding.
"We therefore need to reflect carefully on how and when we might be able to attend Mass," the Church leaders said.
"We cannot return immediately to our customary practices. This next step is not, in any sense, a moment when we are going 'back to normal'."
In addition to Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, Malcolm McMahon, Archbishop of Liverpool, Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham, and John Wilson, Archbishop of Southwark.
