Ranchi churches cancel X-Mas gatherings, final call on services

The dampening of spirit was palpable after churches across the state geared up to make plans to restrict the number of devotees on Christmas this year. The cheer of carols sung by local groups, the aroma of freshly baked cakes, midnight masses and parties will be missing this year on Christmas amid the ongoing pandemic, feel revellers. 

Moderator of Gossner Evangelical Lutheran (GEL) Church Johan Dang said, “This will not be a usual Christmas as 2020 is a normal year. Christmas gatherings are being cancelled and we are advising the faithful to celebrate Christmas in the safety of their homes and dutifully abide by all Covid norms, including wearing masks. This year, only 50 people will be allowed at a time inside churches during the services on Christmas.

“Managing crowd is a challenge in Ranchi and thus we will continue with our online church services even on Christmas so that the elderly, women and children can stay at home and yet feel closer to God by simply logging on to our website,” Dang said.

The church’s bishop, Johnson Lakra, said, “Christmas plans, including the number of church services to be held, are still in the process of being finalised. We are talking to stakeholders and hope to make our plans public a week before Christmas.”

The Church of North India, Chotanagpur Diocese, has cancelled all fetes, Christmas gatherings, fairs and annual sports day events at its schools and educational institutions.

“All large gatherings are being avoided. There will be restrictions on the number of faithful presents at church services. At least six church services, in English and Hindi, will be held on Christmas. Our youth volunteers will deck up the 150-year-old St Paul’s Cathedral at Bahubazar in Ranchi as usual,” Vikhla Bakhlaa, general secretary, CNI Church, Chotanagpur Diocese, said.

The Roman Catholic Church too has already announced that all its churches and centres have been directed to conduct as many as three church services per day during Christmas, to restrict the number of faithful at its churches. The Archdiocese of Ranchi, under the Roman Catholic Church, has also appealed to all its faithful, to dedicate Christmas to the poor, the hungry and the homeless, refrain from bursting crackers and avoid all forms of extravagant expenditures this year.

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