Goa: Churches likely to open on June 8

PANAJI: Eleven weeks after the lockdown was announced in view of the Covid-19 outbreak, churches across the state are likely to open with masses for congregations.
“Masses will most likely begin on June 8. We are waiting for related SOPs from state authorities,” a senior priest said.
For more than two months, priests have been celebrating masses, including the obligatory Sunday mass, to empty benches, with some parishes live streaming the services for their faithful.
Lakhs of Christians across the state stayed away from Sunday mass services in churches on March 22 after Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a nationwide janata curfew between 7am to 9pm. Ever since, all places of worship have been closed for large congregations.
It was a novel spiritual experience for many to use technology - both the priests to reach their faithful and for parishioners to participate in it over the internet or television with only spiritual communion.
Extensive guidelines prohibited even funeral masses from being celebrated during the lockdown, with bodies presently taken directly to the cemetery with close family.
Several feasts otherwise celebrated with great pomp, were also cancelled.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs guidelines, religious places and places of worship for public, besides hotels, restaurants, and other hospitality services, including shopping malls, will be permitted to open from June 8.
However, among the list of prohibited activities throughout the country are assembly halls, religious functions and other large congregations, among others.