As churches around prepare to host a string of religious services for Holy Week from this Sunday, called Palm Sunday, some seniors who attend the St Thomas Cathedral in San Thome are unhappy with the violation of pandemic time norms at this church.
They say that a cathedral which followed the norms strictly last year and was cautious in opening to church-goers now does not even care to advise the congregation to wear masks.
Says a senior women who resides in Leith Castle Street zone, “On Sundays the church is packed for Masses and few wear masks or sit apart. So we have stopped attending Mass there.”
Church-goers say that the Our Lady of Light Church in Luz has observed the SOPs, hosts more Masses to reduce attendance at each and spaces out the services and has volunteers to help people to sanitise, wear masks and sit afar inside.
Yes, many seniors also walk around without masks and do not care to talk with others splashing spitules on others faces!!
The church is sometimes so packed. its really very big question about the Holy Week service when attendance is obligatory. The volunteers simply love to mingle and have fun and mostly overlook people walking about without masks and priests coughing into their hands and then give Holy Communion without sanitising.
Its now huge worry to await what would unleash during jam packed services on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday , Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday!!
If clusters detected , the church may have to close again!!