HO CHI MINH CITY (UCAN): The Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City, southern Vietnam, has resumed some of its public religious activities after a four-month suspension to fight Covid-19.
Father Peter Kieu Cong Tung, chancellor of the archdiocese, announced that the city government had relaxed social distancing measures and that public gatherings may be held with limited attendance under strictly controlled conditions.
Father Kieu said that, from October 1, local parishes and religious communities may provide pastoral activities and liturgical services for a maximum of 60 participants. Participants who are fully vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19 are required to wear facemasks, and observe hygiene and social distancing protocols.
He asked priests to arrange many Masses at weekends so that the faithful can attend. Archbishop Joseph Nguyen Nang allows priests to celebrate as many as four Masses on Sundays.
Father Kieu called on people aged 65 and above, those with underlying illnesses, children and people who have not been fully vaccinated to stay away from churches and to remain in communion by attending online services.
As teenagers under 18-years-old have not been vaccinated, parish priests have been called on to organise online catechism classes for them.
“We all gratefully thank God and continue making sacrifices and doing good deeds every day [and] pray for the world to overcome the contagious pandemic soon,” Father Kieu said.
The ministry council of Vuon Xoai parish said that it would hold Masses according to its normal timetable and without choir services.
It said parishioners are required to attend one Mass per day and sit in marked rows in the church, and that the elderly and children should not go to church. However, Catholic associations in the parish are not allowed to have activities until further notice.
The archdiocese had suspended all its activities on May 22 to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic at the government’s request.
“We fervently pray to God to end the outbreak soon so that the city gets back to normal life and we can find jobs for a living,” said Anthony Nguyen Hoang Dung, a parishioner of Bach Dang parish.
Ho Chi Minh City Archdiocese has around 690,000 Catholics in 200 parishes served by 900 priests and 6,900 religious.
