By Verghese V Joseph –
With Covid-19 cases showing no signs of abating, and in keeping with the government directives, Catholic churches across India have issued guidelines for all the general public, parishes and institutions to take necessary safety precautions to contain the spread of the virus.
Mumbai Archdiocese has exempted its faithful from the obligation to attend mass on Sundays till March 31, 2020. Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Mumbai urged those who are sick or having a seasoned medical condition, not to come to Church for Sunday Mass. Similarly, those who have fever, cough and cold have been advised not to come to church for Mass. People above 60 years of age have been exempted from attending Mass at Church.
These norms will be revised early April and in the mean time, people have been advised to reduce socialising and stay at home as much as possible and use this time to pray.
The Bangalore Archdiocese too has issued fresh norms on the same lines. Archbishop of Bangalore Most Rev (Dr) Peter Machado said, “While the inevitable is at our doorstep, let’s take courage! There will be no public liturgical services in the churches in Bangalore and chapels, Likewise, the retreats, Novenas, Conventions and other Spiritual Exercises in own churches, community halls or such places.”
The prelate also urged the priests and religious to reach out to people in need.
Meanwhile, the North East India Regional Bishops’ Council (NEIRBC) has advised people to follow the guidelines and instructions of their respective States to contain the spread of the pandemic novel coronavirus.
At the conclusion of the two-day meeting of NEIRBC at the Pastoral Centre, Dibrugarh, on 18 March, the Archbishop of Guwahatai and the Council’s President, John Moolachira, speaking on behalf of all the Bishops of North East India said, “Catholics are dispensed from Sunday and other obligatory day obligations till further notice. The Church may be left open for individuals to come and pray.”
In the light of the looming threat of the virus, the guideline from the Bishops have advised the people to avoid panic, as fear is more dangerous than the virus itself.
Bishop Thomas Dabre of Poona Diocese put it well, “The suspension of Holy Mass, liturgy, Stations of the Cross, public congregational worship is out of respect for human life which is Godโs most precious gift to us. It is also a manifestation of our cooperation and solidarity with world leaders, that we are implementing these measures with immediate effect in the churches in our Diocese of Poona. However, this is not to stop prayers, worship and veneration. We should pray all the more to Almighty God for the removal of Coronavirus. So, pray at home, in private, as much as you can, so that at the earliest, we should be able to have worship in our churches.”
The diocese of Mangalore too has suspended public access to Holy Masses at churches in the district till March 31 as a precautionary measure against the fast spreading coronavirus.
Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore, in a circular to all faithfuls of Mangalore diocese said, “As a diocese, our top priority remains the health and safety of our families, children, the vulnerable of our community and all people around us. We need to cooperate and work with the government in the mission of protecting the vulnerable from the coronavirus pandemic. On March 17, 2020 the deputy commissioner and district magistrate has issued an order in view of preventing the spread of COVID -19 and in the interest of public health and safety, which needs to be adhered to by all.
In a communique from Mysore Diocese, Bishop Most Rev (Dr.) K A William said, “The Mysore Diocese too has put in similar precautions to arrest the spread of the virus. Mysore Diocese will have March 22 and 29 as days of fasting and prayer. Let us stay united in prayer and spirit.”
However, the churches will remain open for private prayer, meditation, visit to the blessed Sacrament and private/individual adoration. “They are places of healing and hope. The faithful are encouraged to visit the Blessed Sacrament according to their convenience to pray in private and thereby unite themselves in spiritual communion with the Lord,” he added.
Other dioceses too have issued similar guidelines in their respective regions.
Meanwhile, The United Nations in its communication has said, “We are currently confronted with a unique crisis with widespread human, social, and economic ramifications. The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) is truly a test of all of our countries and societies and I offer my condolences to the families and countries who have already suffered the loss or illness of their dear ones.”
World Health Organisation’s Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus sounded a note of optimism and said, “Itโs now more than a month since the last case of Ebola in DRC. If it stays that way, the outbreak will be declared over in less than a monthโs time. More than 200,000 cases of COVID-19 have been reported to WHO, and more than 8000 people have lost their lives. More than 80% of all cases are from two regions โ the Western Pacific and Europe.”