BELAGAVI
Early services marked Christmas celebrations in Belagavi on Thursday evening, on account of restrictions due to the prevailing Covid pandemic.
Instead of the customary Christmas Midnight Mass, this year Masses were celebrated in all churches across the dioceses of Belgaum and Karwar at 7 pm and culminated by 9 pm.
Bishop of Belgaum Derek Fernandes, who is also incharge of the Karwar diocese, celebrated Mass at Our Lady of Fatima Cathedral at Camp. Stringent Covid SOPs were observed during the services.
During the Christmas Mass at Fathima Cathedral in Belagavi on Thursday evening, Bishop Fernandes called upon Christians to celebrate the festival to bring joy among people who suffered from Covid-19 and lost their relatives and friends to the pandemic.
“Christmas must be celebrated with the poor and those who suffered badly due to the pandemic,” said Bishop Fernandes, while exhorting Christians to bring cheer among all those who suffered by visiting their homes.
In view of the night curfew announced in the state earlier by Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, the Belgaum and Karwar dioceses had already decided to hold Masses on the eve of Christmas at 7 pm, instead of midnight.
Later at midnight, all priests offered special prayers services in the churches.
