[UPDATED] Catholic, Anglican churches suspend services

All services at Catholic and Anglican churches have been suspended in light of the risk of the spread of covid19 among people in close spaces.

The churches will instead broadcast services without a congregation in TV and radio.

In statements on Saturday, head of the Catholic church, Archbishop of Port of Spain Jason Gordon and Vicar General of the Anglican Church Edwin Primus said the decisions were based on concerns for the safety of their members which heightened with the confirmation of two covid19 cases in Trinidad.

“Our first priority is the protection of life and the safety of God’s people especially the vulnerable who make up a large and important part of our Church community," Gordon said in his statement.

Primus said the Anglican church made a final decision after a Health Ministry press conference where it noted the comments of Dr Michelle Trotman, thoracic medical director at Caura Chest Hospital, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh and National Security Minister Stuart Young.

“In as much as Trinidad and Tobago has confirmed two cases together with the recent information shared by the Minister of Health, the Minister of National Security and Dr Trotman at today’s (Saturday’s) press conference, all Church services are suspended with immediate effect until further notice,” he said.

Primus urged Anglicans to continue their devotions at home and to listen to the Anglican Voice on I.95.5 fm on Sunday 8 pm for additional information.

The governing bodies of the two churches are in countries where the coronavirus rate is high or increasing. Italy, where the Vatican is based in Rome, is in a national lockdown with 21,157 cases and more than 1,300 deaths. In the United Kingdom, the seat of the Church of England, had 387 cases with six deaths as of March 11.

On Friday, Gordon had urged vulnerable people such as the elderly, infirm and anyone with flu symptoms to fulfil their Sunday obligation by participating in mass on Trinity TV or on Power 102 FM at 8 am. However, with the announcement of a second confirmed case of covid19 in TT, his instructions were amended.

“With the escalation we are experiencing, the Church needs to escalate her response as well based on current advice. Remember we are called to prudence, restraint and sacrifice," he said.

He reiterated that priests would meet on Monday to discuss the pastoral care of the faithful of the Archdiocese, using dialogue and prayer to discern a way forward. The meeting would now take place using technology rather than in-person.

“We must not allow fear and panic to prevail," he said. In Friday’s release, he said that all Roman Catholic primary and secondary schools would be closed until further notice, and that religious education classes and other parish gatherings were cancelled. This followed the Prime Minister's announcement that all schools and universities will be closed for a week.

A member of Living Water Community, where the mass would be recorded at its Frederick Street, Port of Spain chapel, confirmed that there would be no parishioners at the recording of the mass on Sunday. It would be a closed mass with only the Archbishop, readers, and a few singers.

The two churches had previously adjusted their religious rites by removing communion wine and handshakes and hugs as signs of peace.

Deyalsingh commended Gordon for decision during the press conference, before the Anglican statement was issued.

Earlier, Canon Knolly Clarke told Sunday Newsday Anglican Bishop Claude Berkley was out of the country meeting with other English Catholic leaders on how to deal with covid19.

Other religions have said they have made changes to their public events.

On Friday, the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS) announced that public gatherings at temples and outdoor areas were cancelled until further notice, including the chowtaal saameelan which was supposed to have taken place on Saturday at the Orange Valley Vishnu Mandir.

In the statement, SDMS secretary general Vijay Maharaj said children’s phagwa in all SDMS schools were cancelled and so was Sunday’s national phagwa at various venues. “We will update the Hindu community as we receive further information and directives from the Ministry of Health,” he said.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, the Presbyterian Church of TT announced that the BOCE Sunday School Rally, BOTE Elders’ Retreat, and the BOW Southern Rally were all postponed as a precaution. It also reminded people to be vigilant and responsible in responding to the virus.

Rev Mother Cheryl Broomes of the National Congress of Incorporated Baptist Organisation of TT Inc said there had been no changes in the worship of the Shouter Baptists so far. However, she said there would be a meeting of leaders on Monday to discuss any necessary adjustments after which they would inform the public.

This story has been updated with additional information. It was previously published under the headline Catholic Church suspends Mass.

All Masses at Roman Catholic churches have been suspended as of Saturday, according to a statement from Archbishop Jason Gordon on Saturday.

However, he urged church members to follow the service on television or radio on Sunday.

On Friday, Gordon urged vulnerable people such as the elderly, infirm and anyone with flu symptoms to fulfil their Sunday obligation by participating in Mass on Trinity TV or on Power 102 FM at 8 am. However, with the announcement of another confirmed case of covid19 in TT, his instructions were amended.

“With the escalation we are experiencing, the Church needs to escalate her response as well based on current advice. Remember we are called to prudence, restraint and sacrifice.

“Our first priority is the protection of life and the safety of God’s people especially the vulnerable who make up a large and important part of our Church community.”

He reiterated that priests would meet on Monday to discuss the pastoral care of the faithful of the Archdiocese, using dialogue and prayer to discern a way forward. The meeting would now take place using technology rather than in-person.

“We must not allow fear and panic to prevail. As I said in my press release, yesterday, we are our brother’s and sister’s keeper. The primacy of the law of charity requires of us to assist those in need. Let us begin praying and planning how to assist others in this time of national challenge, especially those most at risk in our communities.”

In Friday’s release, he said that all Roman Catholic primary and secondary schools would be closed until further notice, and that religious education classes and other parish gatherings were cancelled.

He said Pope Francis advised discretion in the public celebration of Mass.

“Amidst this challenge, let us keep our faith and trust in God so typical of Caribbean peoples while exercising prudential judgement.”

A member of Living Water Community confirmed that there would be no parishioners at the recording of the Mass on Sunday. It would be a closed Mass with only the Archbishop, readers, and a few singers.