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PANAJI
The Archdiocese of Goa and Daman has issues the following instructions, to be followed, until advised to the contrary, by the clergy and the faithful in the Archdiocese, as a precautionary measure against a possible onslaught of the coronavirus pandemic.
HOLY MASSES
As far as the Celebration of the Holy Mass is concerned, Archbishop Ferrão said “the faithful are dispensed from the obligation of participating in the Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation.”
“In order to prevent community transmission of the virus, the faithful are advised not to go for daily Mass, unless it is strictly necessary. They should, in any case, keep a distance of not less than a metre from one another.”
“The following are strongly advised not to take part in the Mass: (a) children and those above 60 years of age, (b) those who are under a bout of even a common cold, including cough, sneezing, runny nose or fever, (c) those having co-existing ailments like hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, cancer, etc., (d) those who have travelled from any of the virus-infected areas, outside or inside the country, after March 1.”
Stating that priests, however, should continue to celebrate Mass, even without a congregation, Archbishop Ferrão said concelebrants at a Mass should receive Holy Communion through intinction only.
“Wherever Mass is celebrated, even with a tiny congregation, the priest must necessarily take the appropriate sanitary precautions (e.g. sanitizing or washing the hands with soap, before and after the distribution of Holy Communion); Communicants are bound to receive Holy Communion only in the hand; Holy Communion is to be administered only under the species of bread; Weekly or other such novena services in our places of worship are hereby suspended with immediate effect; Wherever possible, the celebration of the Mass is to be live-streamed or recorded and then broadcast, either by the respective parish or through the local electronic media.”
PRAYERS IN
CHURCHES /CHAPELS
Referring to Private Prayer in Churches/Chapels, Archbishop Ferrão said Pastors are advised to keep the Churches/Chapels open during the day, at least for a few hours, with prior announcement, so that the faithful can come and pray privately.
“On these occasions, the faithful should maintain safe distance (not less than one metre) from one another and take the necessary sanitary precautions. We do hereby revoke the recommendation we had made in our previous circular for an Hour of Adoration to be organised in our places of worship either on March 20 or March 27.”
MEETINGS IN PARISH
As far as meetings/programmes of SCCs/associations/groups in the parish are concerned, Archbishop Ferrão said all such meetings are to be suspended, barring those that are necessary for urgent consultation or decision-making and for charitable activities, seeing that only the strictly necessary number of members take part. He, however, said children and those above 60 years of age as well as those showing symptoms of sickness should not be allowed to attend such meetings.
DEVOTIONAL
PRACTICES
Commenting on gatherings and devotional practices, Archbishop Ferrão said, “Community devotional practices like the Way of the Cross, the Santos Passos, processions, recitation of the rosary, chaplets, domiciliary visits of the statue of Our Lady of the Medalha Milagrosa, etc. as well as gatherings, like on the occasion of retreats, penitential services and even Lenten dramas/depictions, are not to be held.”
“The Faithful are, however, encouraged to celebrate their faith as a domestic Church, by taking time to pray together as a family, either celebrating the Liturgy of the Hours, reading and reflecting on the Sacred Scriptures, reciting the rosary/chaplets and engaging in other devotional exercises, while also offering sacrifices, to implore God’s mercy during these difficult days.”
CONFESSIONS
Archbishop Ferrão said the use of the confessional should be avoided for the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
“The Sacrament of Reconciliation should be celebrated in an appropriate space which is not closed and which will facilitate the keeping of a certain distance (not less than one metre) between the priest and the penitent.”
ANOINTING OF SICK
Archbishop Ferrão also made it clear that Priests are not to deny the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick and the Viaticum, whenever requested.
“However, the priest should sanitize his hands before and after touching the recipient and take other precautionary measures. Such celebrations should avoid the gathering of many persons,” he said.
BAPTISMS/
MARRIAGES
Archbishop Ferrão said Baptisms are to be celebrated taking the necessary sanitary precautions and with the participation of close family members only, provided they do not show symptoms of the disease or of a common cold.
“In case they, or even the godparents, show such symptoms, they are not to participate in the celebration.”
Archbishop Ferrão also said marriage celebrations with large attendance should be postponed to a safer time.
FUNERALS
Archbishop Ferrão said funerals are to be celebrated only with the participation of the minister and of close family members, who are to take the necessary precautions.
“On the occasion of deaths, gatherings in the house of the deceased are to be avoided. Masses for the dead, with the participation of a large congregation, are to be rescheduled to a safer time.”
