Sunday lockdown: Holy Masses cancelled in Mangalore diocese churches

Team Udayavani, Jul 1, 2020, 2:43 PM IST

Mangaluru: As the state government has imposed a total lockdown on Sundays, Bishop of Mangalore diocese Dr Peter Paul Saldanha has advised parishes in the diocese not to celebrate Holy Masses on Sundays.

Amid rising cases of coronavirus in the state, the Karnataka government has reimposed a total lockdown on Sundays starting from July 5 onwards apart from extending the night curfew hours.

“The Karnataka government has issued an order re-imposing lockdown on Sundays beginning from July 5 until August 2. This means, no activity other than essential services and supplies is allowed. This situation affects our celebration of Sunday Masses,” the Bishop stated in a circular.

“While the lockdown on Sundays prevents people from participating in the Sunday Mass, they can fulfil the Sunday obligation by participating in Masses on Saturday held after 4 pm. Hence parish priests can arrange to have more than one Mass on Saturday evenings taking into account the convenience of the people.

Because of the restriction of space in the church and social distancing, it may not be possible to accommodate at Mass all those who are not prevented from participating in it. Therefore, as a matter of exception in these difficult circumstances, in the diocese of Mangalore, I permit the parish priests to have Masses with Sunday Liturgy – Sunday Proper, Readings, homily, prayer of the faithful, etc on Friday evenings after 4.00 p.m. This provision can be used only when lockdown is mandated on Sunday. This permission cannot be extended to other days and other times.

This pastoral response of having Friday evening Masses with Sunday Liturgy is a temporary measure (an exception) made by the Bishop for the benefit of those Catholics who find it impossible to attend Mass on Saturday evening considering that they should not be deprived of the riches offered in the Sunday liturgy. On other days and times, Masses are to be celebrated as indicated in the Liturgical Ordo. The faithful can draw immense spiritual benefit by participating in weekday Masses celebrated without Sunday liturgy.

Bearing in mind the increasing number of cases of Covid-19, containment zones in and around parishes, and taking into account the different context and situation experienced in diverse geographical areas, Parish Priests are granted permission to decide about having or not having Masses in their respective parishes in consultation with the Parish Pastoral Council and Covid-19 Safety Committee. In case, they decide not to have Masses for a short period of time in their parish church, they should apply the same principles for weddings, funerals and other occasions,” read the circular.

It may be recalled, that religious services were permitted in the Churches of Diocese of Mangaluru from June 13 as per the guidelines given by the government following relaxation of lockdown norms.