Sunday Masses can start from Saturday morning: Archbishop of Bombay

The Archdiocese’s circular recommends that distribution of Holy Communion be done in some other suitable place after Mass. Representation pic

As Religious institutions across the state gear up to open their doors next week, the Archbishop of Bombay Oswald Cardinal Gracias has permitted Sunday Mass to be celebrated from Saturday morning till Sunday evening. He has also allowed parish priests to increase the number of Masses "if necessary".

"The dispensation from the obligation of attending Mass on Sunday is still operative, but to enable more to participate in the Sunday Liturgy, I am permitting the Sunday Mass Liturgy to be celebrated from Saturday morning till Sunday morning," the Cardinal said in a press release late on Tuesday night. The announcement comes after he held a meeting with the Deans on Monday to decide on protocol and standard operating procedures (SOP) for reopening of churches.

He added that the gap between Masses should be at least 90 minutes for preparation. The Archdiocese's circular also recommended that the distribution of Holy Communion should be done in the hall or some "other suitable places after Mass".

Among other SOPs, it also asked parish priests and priests-in-charge to make sure church premises have been sanitised, thermal screening is done at entrances by ushers, and the capacity is limited to one-third of the total seats.

In addition, choirs are not allowed to sing and statues or hymn books are not to be touched.