Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Mar 21: Mangaluru bishop Dr Peter Paul Saldanha has appealed to the members of Diocese to follow the call by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on containing spread of COVID-19, by observing Janata Curfew.
In an open letter, the bishop said that public liturgical services have already been suspended. However, to make Janata Curfew successful, he requested people to strictly stay at home from 7 am to 9 pm on March 22. He also requested people to cancel private services, including visits to churches and Blessed Sacrament chapels.
Bishop Dr Peter Paul Saldanha
The bishop has directed for bells to be pealed across churches and chapels of the diocese at 5 pm as a humble expression of gratitude towards those who are rendering noble and selfless service during the moments of crisis. The bishop also appealed to people of the diocese to express their gratitude by clapping at 5 pm.
“It is our bounden duty to pray for all people of the world, and especially follow special prayers for those who are sick and those who assist them. Let us not forget to intercede between God for those who plan and execute the measures to eradicate the menace of the pandemic. Let us use this God-given opportunity to express the reality of the family as the ‘domestic church’ where we come together in faith, love and prayer. Mangala Jyothi has already sent material to indicate the way we can organize prayer meeting within the family to sanctify the Lord’s Day. Let intense prayer rise before God to protect the whole humanity,” the bishop wrote in his letter.