Archbishop Isao Kikuchi.
Photo: CNA The Tokyo archdiocese has suspended all public Mass until March 14 as a precaution to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Archbishop Isao Kikuchi issued the directive on February 25 for two weeks from the day after Ash Wednesday.
The directive is in response to Japan’s government policy on measures to protect against the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus by suspending events with large gatherings.
“It is not easy for the Church to make this decision to suspend Masses, which should be offered daily,” said Dr Kikuchi in his statement.
The priest asked for the Faithful to understand the gravity of the situation which led to the decision being taken.
“Recalling the words of our Lord commanding ‘Do this in memory of me’ would lead us to think the suspension of the Mass is for us a spiritual defeat.”
He added: “We must offer more prayers than usual during this time of crisis. I recommend everyone find time to read the Bible and offer prayers.”
Doubts
Matches in Japan’s professional rugby, football and basketball leagues have also been postponed with doubts being raised over preparations for the Tokyo Olympics in July.
At the time of writing, more than 160 people in Japan had been infected and one had died.
The figure does not include the 691 on the quarantined cruise ship ‘Diamond Princess’.
There are more than 30 confirmed cases in Toyko and Hokkaido each – the prefectures with the highest number of infected patients in Japan.
The Sapporo diocese, which covers Hokkaido, has issued the same instruction with the country’s other 14 dioceses expected to issue directives about the cancellation of Masses in the coming days.