Port Louis, 25 March, 2021 / 12:06 pm (ACI Africa).
The leadership of the Catholic Church in Mauritius has directed that churches in the country remain closed during Holy Week in line with restrictions, which the government of the Indian Ocean Island nation put in place to control the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
The directive follows the announcement by the country’s Prime Minister, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, that places of worship “can only accommodate a maximum of 5 persons from 1st April” as part of the “progressive containment measures,” officials of Mauritius’ Port Louis Diocese say in their Thursday, March 25 statement.
“The churches will remain closed for the ceremonies of Holy Week. Although it is sad that for the second consecutive year, Holy Week cannot be celebrated in Christian community in the church, it is imperative to protect the population as much as possible,” the officials say in the statement obtained by ACI Africa.
However, the Church officials clarify, “each Parish retains all its freedom to offer Holy Week masses/ceremonies on their social networks at times that suit them.”
“A maximum of 5 people can be present at these Masses to help with registration and animation,” they add, making reference to those to assist in the livestreaming of the Eucharistic celebration and other services during the liturgical celebrations.
