Team Herald
MARGAO: In significant decision, the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman issued a circular on Monday, wherein the dispensation from the obligation of participating in Sunday Mass during Covid that had been granted to the faithful earlier, has finally been revoked.
To put this in simpler terms, a senior priest explained that the Church norm that Catholics have the obligation to participate in the Mass on Sunday and Days of Obligation, which was earlier relaxed by the authority of the Archbishop in view of the earlier Covid lockdown and social distancing rules, has now been revoked as life has come back to normal.
Furthermore, the Holy Communion can be administered on the tongue again if the communicant wants to make that choice.
The message has been sent to the clergy ministering in the churches, chapels and other places of worship.
In the message by Cardinal and Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao, the reasons for taking this decision were explained.
It was also pointed out that on November 27, the new Liturgical year commences.
“For the last two years or so, our social, cultural and liturgical life had been severely curtailed due to the threats posed by the pandemic and the restrictions imposed by the authorities. These threats at present, seem to have minimised. People are seen moving freely in public and at social gatherings and life appears to have returned to normal. It is expedient that we too return to our normal liturgical and community life as a Church, gathering physically around the Altar of the Lord to celebrate our faith and our life,” said the Cardinal.
“Keeping the above in mind, we hereby revoke the general dispensation that was granted to the Faithful in the Archdiocese, regarding the participation at Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of obligation (circular dated March 19, 2020) as well as the SOPs on social distancing and the restriction in the number of persons in sacred persons Holy Communion is to be administered on the hand or on the tongue, the choice lying with the communicant. It is left to the individual faithful to take the desired precautions concerning hygiene and other related acts,” the Cardinal added.
“I appeal to you, beloved brothers of Christ, to begin this Liturgical Year as a journey in faith to where the Lord seeks to lead us. Let us hold hands with one another and walk together as a ‘synodal’ Church, giving witness to the values of the Gospel through our life of compassion and love. I entrust you all to Mary, the first and most perfect of Christ’s disciples,” said the Cardinal.
“Every Liturgical year is a God-given opportunity for us, Catholics, to experience and to grow as disciples of Jesus, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, in the Father’s Love,” the Cardinal added.
He further stated that the contents of this Circular letter are to be made known as the Faithful under their care.
