French bishops added that they would remain in "dialogue with the office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of the Interior."
France has been under a strict lockdown since the end of October, in which all public religious gatherings, including public Masses, were originally suspended until Dec. 1.
French bishops announced Nov. 2 that they were filing an urgent appeal with the Council of State to continue public Masses, arguing that the government's coronavirus lockdown decree was "out of proportion" and "violates the freedom of worship which is one of the fundamental freedoms in our country."
The bishops' appeal was rejected by the Council of State on Nov. 7. But, in response, the judge specified that churches would remain open and that Catholics would be able visit a church near their homes regardless of distance if they carried out the necessary paperwork. Priests would also be allowed to visit people in their homes and chaplains permitted to visit hospitals.
Catholics took to the streets in major cities across the country to protest against the public Mass ban, praying together outside their churches.
The French bishops said on Tuesday that Macron's decision to reauthorize public worship with a limitation of 30 people seemed to "ignore this sense of responsibility which they [Catholics] have already demonstrated since the start of the epidemic."
"Catholics are aware of the health issues and are capable of showing full responsibility in the application of the rules of protection," they said.
"The Advent season which opens before us is a fundamental time of preparation for Christmas. The Sunday gathering is an essential step for the faithful during this period."
Courtney Mares is a Rome Correspondent for Catholic News Agency. A graduate of Harvard University, she has reported from news bureaus on three continents and was awarded the Gardner Fellowship for her work with North Korean refugees.