Belthangady: Bishop of Belthangady call off all Sunday masses/services till March 31st:

Dear Rev. Fathers, Rev. Sisters and the brothers and sisters in Christ, 

Prayerful Greetings from Bishop's House Belthangady! As per the direction of His Excellency, Most Rev.  Lawrence Mukkuzhy, I am advised to communicate certain  directives to the priests, religious and the faithful of our diocese in the context of section 144 (3) in force. 

As a community of faithful in our country we are obliged to follow the common directives of the government. 

In the context of the spreading of Covid 19, we also take certain practical steps in consultation with  the Ecclesistical Authorities and individual Churches,  the Latin and the Malangara. 

1. We suspend all the public celebrations in our churches, institutions and in the families. 

2. We keep our churches (where the priests are residing) open during the day time for private adoration and veneration. 

3. The priests are supposed to celebrate the Holy Mass and other Sacraments privately.  There will not be Holy Mass till March 31st with the Participation of the faithful. For individual situations priests use pastoral prudence. 

4. The vulnerable group,  namely: the aged,  sick,  children and all those who are having cold, cough, headache, sneezing,  throat pain etc.  are to be discouraged from visiting the public veneration places.

5. The priests are supposed to take away the panic that exists among the people through  personal prayer and telephonic counselling if needed. 

6. The Myron Blessing and Minor Orders are postponed. 

7. Our Bishop ensured his prayers in this hard time. Kindly pray for our Bishop too. 

8. Wish you all the greetings of the Feast of St.Joseph.

These directives are on effect till 31st March 2020 and the people are exempted from Sunday obligation of participating in the public spiritual ceremonies. Further directives will be given for the Holy week program.  Let us unite to break the chain of physical contact and to make the spiritual chain of prayer and Support. 

Fr Joseph Valiaparambil

Vicar General