JAKARTA (UCAN): The Archdiocese of Jakarta, Indonesia is set to allow children and elderly to resume attending public Masses but under several conditions during the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic (SARS-CoV-2), vicar general, Father Samuel Pangestu, said in a letter on May 5.
Father Pangestu, who heads the Covid-19 prevention team, that the decision was based on the current situation in Indonesia where the Covid-19 vaccination drive is in full swing towards achieve herd immunity.
The government kicked off the vaccination drive in January beginning with medical personnel, police, military personnel and other public servants as well as those aged over 60. Those economically and socially affected by the pandemic are next in line for vaccination, followed by the rest of the population. It is hoped immunisation will be wrapped up by March next year.
“Only children and teenagers aged from 10 to 17 who have received the Sacrament of Holy Communion are allowed to attend public Masses, and they must be in good health,” Father Pangestu said in the letter, which was distributed to all parishes in the archdiocese.
“They must be registered by their families on the archdiocese’s website and be accompanied by adult family members,” he said, adding that those aged 60 and over who are in good health and are independently mobile can attend Masses on Saturdays.
“They must obtain a consent approval letter from their families and have had the first and second doses of Covid-19 vaccines,” he said.
Father Pangestu called on parishes to submit social distancing proposals before May 12 to accommodate the return of children and the elderly to churches.
Veronica Erna Hidajati, from St. Joseph Parish in East Jakarta, welcomed the archdiocese’s decision as her 15-year-old son wants to receive Holy Communion.
“I have not told my son yet but I believe he will be excited as he’s not overly thrilled with joining livestreamed Sunday Masses,” she told said.
The Archdiocese of Jakarta resumed public Masses in July last year after they were closed the previous March due to the pandemic.
However, only those aged between 18 and 59 were allowed in churches, which were limited to only 20 per cent capacity.
“I have no worries about it because the archdiocese has strictly followed health protocols,” Hidajati said.
