COVID-19: With shrines shut in Mumbai, Church issues guidelines for sacraments

Archbishop of Bombay Cardinal Oswald Gracias. File pic

After the Maharashtra government announced night curfew and blanket lockdown over weekends from Sunday, all places of worship; from Babulnath Mandir to Siddhivinayak temple, and Haji Ali Dargah to all churches across Mumbai have been closed till April 30.

According to a report in the Times of India, Cardinal Oswald Gracias, the Archdiocese of Bombay, said that churches will remain closed till April 30. He issued a notification in this regard stating guidelines for sacraments, including baptism, confirmation, marriage, and burial, which need to be followed.

In a video message, the Cardinal urged priests to obey COVID-19 protocol, including wearing face masks in order to prevent even "accidental infection". As per the circular, baptisms will be held in a small group considering the fact that Section 144 has been imposed across the state. For baptism, the minister, the child, its parents, and godparents may be present for the sacrament.

For marriages, the Archbishop has directed priests to give nuptial blessings without mass. A maximum of 10 people may attend the marriage function, the circular states. The guidelines further said that marriages cannot take place without special permission from government authorities considering there is a complete curfew on weekends.

Agreeing to the state government's order, the Cardinal said that only 20 people will be allowed to attend the funerals. "Bodies are to be taken directly to the cemetery. Burial prayers are to be said without burial mass," the circular states.

Confirmation ceremonies that were scheduled for April and have now been postponed until lockdown can be decided upon in consultation
with the bishop.