This is an expression of love and unity with the extended people of the homeland, and in compliance with governmental decisions issued on Wednesday March 10, 2021, to close mosques and churches on Fridays and Sundays until March 31, 2021 in order to ensure the safety of people, as large gatherings in closed places are a optimum environment for the spread of the pandemic.

Following is the text of the statement issued by Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Jordan Bishop William Shomali on Thursday, March 11, regarding taking preemptive measures to be undertaken to counter the spread of coronavirus in Jordan:

Dear priests, nuns, and our faithful children,

With conveyance of the greetings of Lord Jesus Christ, we note that the health conditions which our country is passing through demand that we pray, as we are confident that God’s grace is always available and that His grace never diminishes.

Dear sons,

 In an expression of love and unity with the extended people of the homeland, and in compliance with governmental decisions issued on Wednesday March 10, 2021, to close mosques and churches on Fridays and Sundays until March 31, 2021 in order to ensure the safety of people, as large gatherings in closed places are a optimum environment for the spread of the pandemic, we announce the following:

1. The Saturday evening and Sunday Holy Masses will be streamed live on social media networking sites so that the faithful can participate spiritually while staying in their homes. In this regard, we ask the faithful to take advantage of this situation by serving an opportunity for the family members to unite together in prayer.  

2.Daily Holy Masses will be celebrated in churches as usual provided that the attendance does not exceed 20 people.

3.Marriage ceremonies, baptisms and funerals are held in churches, provided that the attendance does not exceed 20 people.

4.Instructions relevant to the  arrangements for Ash Wednesday, Saint Joseph’s  Feast, and the Lenten Season will be announced soon.

5.We urge our priests to continuously sterilize churches and ensure, stress the importance of wearing face masks as well as ensure distancing.

6. Priests will present the Holy Communion and anoint the sick in homes and hospitals.  These are some of the original priestly duties which we that they will be fulfilled in a safe manner and in coordination with the families of the patients.

Under such circumstances, we highly appreciate the efforts exerted by the official state apparatuses and all health institutions. We plead with  the Almighty God to heal the sick, have mercy on the dead, console those grieving, protect our people and  the health cadres, and  to ensure Jordan’s safety under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al-Hussein.

By: Munir Bayouk

Source: en.abouna.org