Catholic Bishops in Kerala directs parishes to avoid large

Adhering to the government's steps to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the Catholic Bishops in Kerala on Wednesday directed parishes toavoid large gatherings for holy mass in Churches and advised online participation for the aged and children.

In a circular, the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) insisted that the elderly and children should attend the holy mass online at home instead of participating in prayers at Church.

The Bishops, however, allowed a small gathering of less than 50 in churches for attending holy mass but directed that the persons suffering from cold, cough and fever should keep off from such groups.

The Bishops are authorized to take decision if a situation arises that public masses in a church should be suspended in view of the coronavirus spread.

The KCBC directive came at a time when churches the world over are doing all they can to helpcontain the spread of the virus, avoidinglarge gatherings in churches.