By Jose Kavi
New Delhi, July 5, 2020: The Syro-Malabar diocese of Faridabad has announced that it would resume services in all churches from July 12
“Almost four months of dormant spiritual and pastoral activities in the churches due to Covid-19 the diocese of Faridabad-Delhi has come up with a new Pastoral Plan under Unlock 2.0,” says a press note from Father Ginto Tom, the diocesan public relations officer.
Archbishop Kuriakose Bharanikulangara of Faridabad has recently instructed the churches in his diocese to reopen them under the new pastoral plan. “The new plan will come into effect from July 12,” Father Tom says. The decision preceded the archbishop’s wider consultation with various groups in the archdiocese.
Father Tom also acknowledges that the diocese, which has its territory spread over six states in northern India, cannot reopen all its churches in the same manner. “We cannot apply the “one size fits all” formula in such an extensive and multi-faceted context” he quoted the archbishop as saying.
Consequently, a set of general guidelines is issued through a circular for each parish to adapt and accommodate according to the situation prevailing in its area. The circular clarifies that the intention is to have a “Base-line Pastoral Package” in all parishes.
He has instructed the priests to ensure, “program of minimum activities and offer pastoral and spiritual services to the faithful – at least for those who want – during this challenging times.”
The archbishop wants the parish priests to strictly follow “social or physical distancing” as they try to foster a “spiritual bonding” and pastoral accompaniment.
The circular suggests that a church should celebrate at least one Mass a week and limit the participants to maximum 25, properly following all the government guidelines.
Besides the live streaming of Masses from the parishes, parishes could arrange Eucharist celebration for family units, basic structures of the community.
The circular reminds parish priests to contact the elderly and the sick of the parish at least once a week over the phone; send religious videos to the faithful, organize various online programs and counseling especially to the youth and children, and to set up a Covid-19 help desk in view of assisting the people for information, and volunteer service.
The archbishop further urged his people not to have or spread any social stigma attached to Covid-19 if anyone from the community is tested positive.
The circular also encourages people to download and use the Aarogya Setu App according to the Indian government guidelines.