From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Aug 18: Churches in all the parishes in the city will be opened from Tuesday August 18. However, there will be no public services for fear of community spread of COVID-19.

Archbishop of Bangalore Dr Peter Machado has issued a circular regarding opening of churches in consultation with the State Government stating that the Bangalore Archdiocese has been granted permission ‘to keep the churches in the city parishes open from August 18’.

“However, there will be no public services or gatherings considering the present situation,’’ the Archbishop said pointing out that ‘the Government anticipates community spread of COVID-19’.

Archbishop of Bangalore Dr Peter Machado

The Archbishop has in his circular emphasised that ‘it is our utmost duty and responsibility not to be part of spreading the virus in any form and any place, including our churches. All precautionary measures are being taken to sanitise our churches’.

“The situation will be reviewed again after September 10, 2020,’’ the circular said.

Thus, the novena and solemn celebration of the Nativity of Mother Mary on September 8, which is dear to all Catholics, especially Mangalureans, will not be held in the Bangalore Archdiocese.

Incidentally, the Easter and the Holy Week liturgical celebrations also had to be cancelled all over the country on account of the coronavirus pandemic.