MUMBAI: Barely 24 hours before Christmas, the Maharashtra home department on Wednesday issued a circular restricting Christmas mass to 50 people owing to the new strain of the Covid-19 virus that erupted in the UK. The document includes guidelines on social distancing, sanitation and fumigation which are near similar to those that were issued by the Archdiocese of Bombay on December 15.
Home minister Anil Deshmukh appealed to Christians to keep celebrations "simple and low key, and follow all Covid norms." He urged caution in permitting senior citizens above 60 years and children below 10.
The circular stipulates that mass attendees maintain social distancing, the church be disinfected at regular intervals, a maximum of 10 choristers be permitted with physical spacing, and shops, stalls not be set up outside the church. Thanksgiving mass on December 31 must be held at 7.00pm instead of midnight, no cultural events or processions are allowed that draw crowds and no firecrackers may be lit. The government has suggested that online mass be held to avoid crowds.
However, the sudden cap on participants evoked anger and upset within the community, and forced churches to reschedule services. Colaba parishioner Sukrina Lobo of RC Church said, "It is definitely heartbreaking to hear this news at such short notice considering that we had already prepared ourselves to limit to 100 people as per the circular sent out last week. Prior registrations were made in most of the parishes. It will be very difficult now to be selective and restrain the parishioners from coming for the services. Of course we will follow the new rules."
Priests questioned the home department's logic behind permitting only 50 people for Christmas mass on the very day when the state reopened amusement parks and water sports to the public.
A priest from Central Mumbai said, "Isn't there an ambivalence in this move? Moreover, we have already advanced mass timings to 8.00pm in order to finish before the 11.00pm night curfew. We have made masks mandatory, ensured that social distancing norms are in place, and all the churches will only accommodate 30-50% of their capacity. Fumigation and sanitisation is being carried out. What else should we do, cancel festivities entirely?"
Fr Dennis Gonsalves of Byculla's Gloria Church said, "At least for Christmas, 200 people should be allowed. We have made all the arrangements." A priest in Bandra said the government should have given them ten days notice.
Agruably, the government's move was driven by the new strain of Covid-19. However one parishioner argued, "In the buses we have more than 50 people travelling. We have churches which can accommodate 500 people, and after keeping social distance, we can host 200 people. Then why these restrictions? Why is the government allowing overcrowded buses? Why permit all routine crowds, business, and amusement parks during the daytime and impose night curfew and stop mass after 7.00pm?"
Late Wednesday night, the Archbishop of Bombay, Oswald Cardinal Gracias issued a video message to priests urging them to rework Christmas mass timings in keeping with the new guidelines issued by the home department. "One possibility is to increase the number of masses, have shorter services at quicker intervals. If suitable space is available, you can simultaneously hold masses in different halls. Stagger the beginning of masses a bit to avoid crowding during entry and exit." Cardinal Gracias said he had contacted government authorities who informed him that the home department had taken a decision to limit the number of participants at 50 Wednesday morning.
Meanwhile, St Michael's Church, Mahim, one of the most prominent churches in the city, cancelled all physical Christmas Eve and Christmas masses. All services will be streamed online.