Representatives ask govt why they were not consulted before limiting the number of parishioners attending Mass to just 50, right before the festival
Christian devotees take part in a Mass on the eve of Christmas at Mount Mary Church, Bandra, on Thursday. Pic/Shadab Khan
Community hurt
Many churches ended up cancelling their celebrations, thereby "denying us to physically attend Mass and to receive Holy Communion," the letter stated.
The letter, written by AOCC member Judith Monteiro who is a resident of Dadar, highlighted the efforts the volunteers have been taking to enforce rules brought in place to avoid the further spread of novel Coronavirus, like physical distancing and sanitisation. It added that the group was "hurt" by the CM's decision.
Monteiro had even asked, "Whether 50 or 200, has Coronavirus specified which number it is permitting? Is the virus going to attack only Churches and not shopping malls, flower markets, etc, that are overflowing with people with no rules being followed?"
Should've increased capacity
AOCC secretary Melwyn Fernandes told mid-day on Friday, "We are upset with the government's decision. Since last month, 200 people were allowed for services in church, but suddenly, right before Christmas, the government reduced this number to just 50. The capacity should have been increased during Christmas, not decreased."
Father Nigel Barrett, spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Bombay, said, "The government's decision to reduce the numbers came as a surprise to us. There was absolutely no consultation. Since the church is one of the stakeholders in such a situation, the government should have engaged with us before taking this decision." "But, like always, we followed the protocols laid down by the government. However, this decision is disappointing to the Christian community."
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