No regular Mass till March 31, says Bishop

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, March 20, 2020:   Regular Mass in churches under Mangaluru Diocese will not be held till March 31, according to Mangaluru Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha.

“I am hereby exempting all our faithful in the Diocese of Mangaluru from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays till March 31, 2020,” the Bishop said in a release issued on Wednesday.

Priests may offer masses even without the participation of the congregation, the Bishop said.

“As a Diocese, our top priority remains the health and safety of our families, children, the vulnerable of our community and all people around us. We need to cooperate and work with the government in the mission of protecting the vulnerable from the Corona virus pandemic,” the Bishop said.

He said that the churches will remain open for private prayer, meditation, visit to the blessed Sacrament and private/individual adoration.

However, in the interest of health and safety, coming in groups to the church, congregating in groups and exiting in groups are prohibited. Social distancing protocol should be maintained.

Anyone who is ill, suspects he or she is ill, or is considered vulnerable, people with chronic illness, immune system deficiencies or other underlying health conditions should refrain from visiting churches and other places, he said.

Courtesy:The Hindu