By Verghese V Joseph –
With COVID-19 cases on the rise in the past few days, churches across India are taking steps to restrict the faithful congregating for worship.
In Mumbai, following Maharashtra’s partial lockdown that came into force on Monday, all places of worship will remain closed until April 30. The Archdiocese of Bombay has announced that all churches will be closed until April 30. The Archbishop of Bombay Oswald Cardinal Gracias issued guidelines for all sacraments including baptism, confirmation, confession, marriage and burial to be followed until then.
He supplemented the circular with a video message to priests, urging them to obey all COVID-19 protocol like masks in order to prevent even “accidental infection”.
Maharashtra has imposed Section 144 throughout the state (which limits a maximum of five people to a gathering), baptisms will be held in small groups. The minister, the child, its parents and god-parents may be present for this sacrament.
For marriages which cannot be postponed to a later date, the Cardinal has directed just the nuptial blessings to be given without mass. Here, a maximum of 10 people may attend.
Given that there is a complete curfew on the weekends, marriages cannot take place then without special permission from rom government authorities.
Meanwhile in Bengaluru, accordingly all the public religious services in the Churches, Chapels and Institutions of Bangalore Urban and Bangalore Rural districts of our Archdiocese will be suspended with effect from 7h April till 20h April 2021. However, the Churches and Chapels will be kept open for private visits and adoration.
The priests have been allowed to celebrate the religious services in private with a few or no participation of the public. In any case, maximum precautions and standard operating procedures have to be strictly followed.
For the Sacramental Celebrations, which are pre-arranged in this period (like Baptism, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, Marriages, etc.), not more than 50 shall be allowed; if possible, with closed door celebrations and SOPs in place.
For funerals too not more than 50 should be allowed. No funeral mass in the Churches, but it may be celebrated in the Cemeteries with SOPs in place.
Other churches in India are expected to follow suit.