AS LENT COMMENCES, the Covid-19 virus outbreak is affecting people’s livelihood. There are worries that the contagion will spread further. To prevent this, people have reduced social activities and avoided going out unless necessary, schools are closed, the government has allowed civil servants to work from home and the pace of many public services has slowed down.
The epidemic has also affected the pastoral ministry of the Church: there have been no public Masses, nor was there a blessing and distribution of ashes on Ash Wednesday; the rite of election and the scrutinies for catechumens will also be cancelled. The diocese has also moved the celebration of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults from Holy Saturday to Pentecost. The period from Lent to Easter this year is looking very different from previous times.
With the Covid-19 virus present in Hong Kong, some have asked if the local Church should suspend the Masses or close the churches?
The diocese is certainly concerned about the epidemic. In late January, it issued several pastoral guidelines to raise the awareness of hygiene within church premises and to propose some preventive measures when the sacraments are administered. In the Chancery Notice issued of February 6, in order to minimise gatherings involving a large number of people, the diocese advised the faithful to attend Sunday Mass by either watching the Sunday Mass via online webcast and receiving Holy Communion spiritually, or by meditating on the Bible and praying.
On February 13, the diocese announced the suspension of all public Masses (with the exception of weddings and funerals), but continued to keep churches and chapels open for personal prayers and visits to the Blessed Sacrament. Suspending Masses—the heart and summit of Christian life—was not an easy decision to take. These measures are intended to strike a balance between pastoral needs and public hygiene. When formulating the above-mentioned pastoral measures, the diocese also consulted medical professionals.
No doubt, in order to address Covid-19 concerns, the Church still has to handle a number of issues apart from the suspension of Masses.
On February 16, the first Sunday without public Masses, John Cardinal Tong, the apostolic administrator of Hong Kong, celebrated a Mass which was broadcast live over the Internet. In his homily, he said that in the midst of the current situation, more than 6,000 people will be baptised as Catholics. He hoped that all of us would reach out to those who do not yet know Jesus and encourage those who have drifted from the Church to return. He also urged us to follow the commandment of love by caring more deeply for our families and neighbours in this midst of this crisis; to live out the gospel virtues of faith, hope and love.
To evangelise many parishes and church groups have taken cues from civil society by reaching out to the community, showing concern and sharing medical and hygiene products.
On the spiritual side, a number of priests celebrate Masses or post homilies on the Internet; they pray and study the Bible with the faithful. Despite the suspension of catechism classes, instructors connect catechumens via social media sharing.
In the midst of current trials and with the coming of Lent, let us continue to pray for Covid-19 patients and for peace in society, and to care for our families and help the needy in the community. SE
