Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Jul 1: The director of the diocesan centre for social communications, Fr Barry Cardozo stated that the archbishop's house at Altinho in Panaji would continue to remain closed for the public until July 20.

Around mid-June, these offices were closed due to the coronavirus outbreak in different parts of the state. The closure was announced until June 30 in a notice issued on June 12. However, taking into consideration the current situation, in its latest communication announced that it would continue to remain closed until July 20.

The people have been asked to contact the chancery for any urgent matters on 2223353, 2225291, and 2433600.

On June 24, the archdiocese had issued guidelines to the priests for reopening of churches, chapels, and shrines The priests could open the places of worship only after the guidelines issued by the archdiocese and the protocols by the government were fulfilled and obtaining permission as directed by the archbishop, Filipe Neri Ferrao.

Once the protocols are fulfilled, the priests must seek permission from the archbishop, and upon assessment by a team of delegates for verification if the guidelines are carried out. If the conditions were found fulfilled, the arch churches would be permitted to reopen, he said.

The archbishop has asked all the priests to assess the seriousness of the situation in their respective areas and take the decision to reopen. He said that individuals must be prudent to decide when to go or not go to the churches. He has requested the vulnerable to refrain from going to the churches.