Covid-19 impacts churches in the UAE, from holy water to taking communion

  DUBAI – Amid fears of a coronavirus outbreak, Catholic churches in the UAE have been ordered to remove holy water from fonts or vessels placed near the entrance. Bishop Paul Hinder, the pope’s senior representative in the Arabian Peninsula, issued a letter telling church members that precautions would “limit the risks” of spreading Covid-19. “The holy water fonts at the church entrance should be emptied. Holy Communion will be received in the hand. The faithful should be instructed on the proper way to receive it,” Bishop Hinder said in an eight-point plan. The bishop also said that Communion ministers must first clean their hands with sanitisers before distributing Holy Communion, and that the small pieces of bread must be received in the hand instead of placed on the tongue. The new guidelines will remain in force until April 2, with the Bishop's letter distributed in the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia, which covers the UAE, Oman and Yemen. The bishop said that severe measures may be imposed in the future.

Catholic church’s 8-point plan against spread of coronavirus

1. Holy water to be removed from fonts 2. Holy Communion to be received in the hand 3. Communion minister to use hand sanitisers to clean their hands before distributing Holy Communion 4. Sign of peace to be replaced with a bow of the head instead of hand holding or handshake 5. Cancellation of religious gathering and events 6. Suspension of catechism classes in line with school closures 7. People with serious colds or illnesses advised not to attend church 8. Bishop's approval needed for group visits or pilgrimages to churches or holy sites, or international meetings Bishop Hinder said that while there is no need to be “unduly alarmed or panic”, it is “good for us to follow the example of the civil authorities in taking certain precautions to limit the risks”. The bishop said precautions were necessary “because of our unique situation as a migrant church, with faithful moving in and out of the country for professional or personal reasons.” ICA/Expat Media
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