By Matters India Reporter

Ranchi, June 1, 2020: The bishops of Ranchi have written to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren to treat public worship as essential services.

Archbishop Felix Toppo and Auxiliary Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas requested the chief minister to request the federal government the church’s proposal to resume public worship in places of worship following the norms of public health safety including social distancing and sanitation.

“While the sudden lockdown has put pressure on various sections of society and sectors of activity, a slow re-entry into normalcy is now taking place and essential services are being steadily restored. It is in this connection that we are writing to you our dear Chief Minister,” the two prelates said in a letter dated May 29.

According to the sources, some essential services were exempted from initially when the country went into lockdown to contain the coronavirus, and more were added to the exemption list subsequently.

As per the lockdown rules periodically emanating from the federal Ministry of Home Affairs, public worship and religious gatherings are forbidden.

“As the Prime Minister and most leaders of our country would be aware, India is a deeply spiritual country and we believe that despite the poverty, misery, and sufferings of our people have always been sustained by their deep faith in God and their participation in community worship. We firmly believe that ‘man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God,’” noted the letter.

While all are conscious of the infectious nature of COVID-19, the Church believes that community worship is necessary for believers of all religions to unitedly bring forth their prayer to God, to receive encouragement in life and to obtain spiritual strength and support.

“With the resumption of public transport and train services (although in reduced form) and permission being granted to even fly in closed planes, we feel a total ban on community worship is unfair and unjustified,” the letter said.

The two bishops thanked the Jharkhand state government and the Jhargov.TV portal for helping the church with the live webcast of its Sunday Services.

“However just as there cannot be online bodily nutrition to people, online spiritual services too cannot be a lasting solution. For a community of faith, whatever religion people may belong to, participating in community worship is essential and this right cannot be and should not be denied. Community worship is an essential service and we request the Government to include it among the essential services permitted,” the letter noted.

The prelates congratulated Chief Minister Soren, his government and collaborators for the wonderful work his team has been doing in different areas during the COVID-19 crisis and the lockdown period.

“We appreciate your leadership which has been characterized by efficiency and compassion for the poor, the migrants and the marginalized. You have been leading from the front quietly but with determination and without much media noise or propaganda,” the letter said.

The church authorities also hailed the work of the District Administration led by Rai Mahimapat Ray and the local Police for the way they have handled the COVID crisis taking care of public health, helping migrants and those on the margins of society.

From the time of lockdown (March 25), in a proactive and dynamic collaboration, the state government and the Catholic Church has been providing its service to the District administration in Ranchi.

Clergy, nuns, women, and youth have been running 14 shelters with a capacity of 200 each for migrants that were stranded in Ranchi District or are in transit through Ranchi to other places.

Church in Jharkhand has been distributing 15-day complete food rations to a few thousands of families, throughout the district, who are in absolute need.

“We have also been running two community kitchens and over the last week and more we have begun providing dry meals to migrants traveling through different chowks in the District leading to highways. The Catholic Church is providing several services in the rest of the State also,” the letter said.