PANAJI: The Archdiocese of Goa and Daman on Saturday instructed all parishes to restart
religious services “without further delay” by November 15, after obtaining the required permissions.
In a circular addressed to all priests, archbishop
Filipe Neri Ferrao said “fear of contamination” should not deter priests and parishioners from reopening churches and conducting religious services while following safety protocols.
The archdiocese asked parishes to observe prescribed norms and cautions but did not elaborate. The archbishop, however, did seem to suggest that special Masses or religious services could be held for those deemed vulnerable to the pandemic.
Till date, 91 of Goa’s 160 parishes have begun daily Masses with small congregations. There are 10 parishes in Daman.
The archdiocese had stopped all community religious services from March 19 as the Covid-19 pandemic began to make inroads into the country. While priests were allowed to celebrate Masses, people were prohibited from participating.
With the Centre gradually relaxing curbs and permitting economic activity to resume, the archdiocese issued a circular on June 24 asking parishes to gradually reopen places of worship while following all safety protocols.
Ferrao said a “good number of priests” have yet to seek permission and begin religious services, including Mass, for parishioners.
“It is now time to return to being a
Church that gathers concretely as an assembled community, even though in small numbers. While people in general are returning to their daily chores and business, frequenting market places and travelling by public transport, we cannot afford to remain as an ‘online community,’ for fear of contamination,” said Ferrao.
He said due attention should be paid to ensure that those considered “vulnerable by reason of age or illness” are given an opportunity to take part in the Mass with adequate care to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.