Notebook
On Saturday evening I felt a sadness in my heart. I knew it was around going to an empty church to celebrate Mass as I have done for much of the past nine or ten months. It is not the ideal, and like many, I have questioned the need, given that our churches are large buildings and well ventilated – not always by design but more through cold drafts! That said, in the interest of safeguarding health, protecting human life, and getting to the other side of this pandemic, I accept the direction and have an appreciation of the need, for now, to avoid even limited and controlled gatherings.
Genuine
There are genuine people who understandably find it difficult to accept this. Some feel they have been let down by Church leadership who should challenge the decision. In some cases, there is rhetoric around the suppression of the faith and links with Penal Laws are made. I believe we need to be measured in any attempt to link what we are going through now with suppression of the freedom to worship or those dark days of Penal Laws. In those times the enemy was clearly identifiable. Our history of Mass Rocks and watching people leave us in no doubt that times were difficult. The enemy was at large, was dangerous and hostile but could be seen coming in the distance and evasive action was taken. Tragically escape was not always possible and all too often a heavy price was paid.
Sadly, the enemy around us now is not so clearly identifiable. Indeed, the enemy hides itself, unbeknownst, among our closest friends and family members, even in our very selves, and strikes with deadly accuracy, transferring itself from one person to another, without need for gunfire or bayonet. We have been repeatedly advised that this enemy is real, deadly and makes no distinctions around where it strikes or who or when. This enemy strikes at will and has wreaked unprecedented havoc on our world for close on twelve months now.
Close
Businesses have had to close their doors, some of them sadly never to re-open. Graves have been opened and filled, often without the next of kin laying eyes on those buried. Hospitals and their staff have been stretched to the limits and beyond. Nursing homes, often the last refuge for our elderly and vulnerable have become no-go areas and heartbreak ensues. We have heard of grandparents, if lucky, getting to see their children’s children through double-glazed windows, wave at them from afar and from behind masks that soak their tears.
We are asked to make short-term sacrifices in the interest of the lasting wellbeing of all. For parishes this means we are not celebrating Mass together under the same roof and, for many people, that is an understandable and regrettable loss. So too for priests, we are meant to be with people and at our best when people are with us, but this is part of the sacrifice we are asked to make. Thankfully, for many, we can connect via webcam and on-line platforms. May the abiding strength of the Eucharist empower us for this hour and lead us, as one, through it.
These days will pass. Nobody is locking doors or turning backs. Let us mind one another.
The enemy is Covid-19.
Having said that…
In NPHET and Government announcements, I believe there should be room for acknowledgement of the sacrifice being made by people of Faith throughout the country. Parishes and Church groups of all denominations have done so much to promote the welfare of people and, it seems without much recognition or acknowledgement. There must exist a voice somewhere that could put words around encouraging people of faith and inviting them to pray for the wellbeing of our nation. ‘On-line’ worship is a welcome avenue, but it is not possible in all parishes due to poor infrastructure and broadband service. Again, this could at least be acknowledged and, where possible, addressed.