the goan I network
PANAJI
In an unprecedented move, the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman has dispensed the Catholic faithful in the archdiocese from the obligation of participating in the Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation, in a bid to control the spread of Coronavirus in the State.
Advising the faithful not to go for daily Mass unless strictly necessary, the archdiocese has also said that the Way of the Cross, the Santos Passos, processions, retreats, penitential services and even Lenten dramas/depictions are not to be held.
In a circular to priests, religious and lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman on Thursday, Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrão waived off a number of religious obligations and services, while insisting that due precaution must be exercised if these services are to be conducted.
Stating that Coronavirus pandemic had been an unprecedented situation which called for unprecedented measures that the archdiocese is required to adopt urgently, Archbishop Ferrão issued a series of instructions to be followed by the Clergy and the Faithful in the Archdiocese, as a precautionary measure against a possible onslaught of the pandemic.
Archbishop Ferrão also fervently appeal to the clergy not to abandon the faithful in this crisis situation, but rather to be in the frontline, offering comfort, hope and courage, while also exercising due prudence.
While stating that people of certain ages, health conditions and recent travels to from any virus-infected areas are strongly advised not to take part in the Mass, indicating clearly that Masses would not be stopped and that, priests should continue to celebrate Mass even without a congregation, Archbishop Ferrão emphasised that priests must necessarily take appropriate sanitary precautions wherever Mass is celebrated, even with a tiny congregation.
He also advised pastors to keep Churches/Chapels open during the day, at least for a few hours, with prior announcement, so that the faithful could pray privately, but insisted that they should maintain safe distance on these occasions.
The archbishop also stated that all meetings of SCCs, associations and groups in
parishes are to be suspended, barring those necessary for urgent consultation or decision-making, but strict conditions would have to be maintained.
Stating that the confessional should be avoided during the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Archbishop Ferrão said appropriate space which is not closed and which facilitates a certain distance between the priest and the penitent be maintained.
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, but with necessary precautions.
He said Baptisms are to be celebrated with close family members only and after necessary precautions, while marriage celebrations with large attendance be postponed to a safer time.
Archbishop Ferrão advised that funerals are to be celebrated only with the participation of the minister and close family members, who are to take 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,” said Archbishop Ferrão.
Archbishop Ferrão also appealed to people to place the situation in the hands of God through the intercession of St Francis Xavier, the Gõycho Saib, who has been interceding for Goans for over four-and-half centuries and of St Joseph Vaz, patron of the archdiocese, who has been much invoked in times of pestilence.
