By Verghese V Joseph –
Expressing solidarity with the nation that is combating the challenges of COVID-19, churches across India will peal their bells on March 22 at 5 pm, acknowledging the efforts of medical staff, police, government servants, airline staff, media persons, bus/train/auto operators and those involved in providing home delivery across the length and breadth of India.
This is in addition to the suggestion given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that on March 22 at 5 pm, all citizens should acknowledge and salute their efforts by standing in the balconies and at the doors of their houses and clap or ring bells for five minutes as a show of appreciation.
In response to Prime Minister’s call, His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay & President of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), said, “The Government is doing a commendable job and we must extend all co-operation. To show our appreciation to care givers I am asking church bells to be pealed on Sunday, March 22 at 5.00 p.m. You may join in this thanks in your own personal way.”
In a church, a bell is rung for a variety of ceremonial purposes, and can be heard outside. Traditionally, they are used to call worshippers to the church for a communal service, and to announce times of daily prayer, called the canonical hours. They are also rung on special occasions such as a wedding, or a funeral service. In some religious traditions, they are used within the liturgy of the church service to signify to people that a particular part of the service has been reached.
On Thursday the Prime Minister made an appeal to all people to stay at home on Sunday, March 22, in a self-imposed curfew. “It is evident that the deadly coronavirus is still spreading, posing an extremely serious danger to all. Heeding our Prime Minister’s call and in the interest of the safety of our people, which need is paramount, I have decided to cancel all public Mass in the Archdiocese of Bombay with effect from midnight tonight, Friday, March 20, 2020 until April 4, 2020, the eve of Palm Sunday (inclusive),” Cardinal Gracias added.
As an alternative, Cardinal Gracias has urged the faithful to benefit from several TV channels like EWTN, Goodness TV, and Shalom which will be telecasting the Eucharist. “On Sunday, March 22, a Mass celebrated by me will be live streamed on YouTube and the Archdiocese of Bombay website at 9 am. I will try to organize a celebration of the Mass to be live streamed into your homes regularly,” he added.
Prime Minister Modi said that patience and resolve of all Indians is vital in fighting the global pandemic which has wreaked havoc all over the world. He requested citizens to follow certain measures to ensure the containment of the fast spreading virus. He emphasized on the importance of not taking the pandemic lightly and the need to be aware and proactive towards prevention of COVID-19.