Catholic church services: Exercise sensitivity, accord respect and be mindful of safety

29th August 2020 The COVID-19 Ministerial Task Force CC: DPM Heng Swee Keat Dear Ministers, Reference: the above matter. During this pandemic, we all need God in our lives to lift the human spirit. For God is often our only hope during most challenging times. While it is a good move on the part of the task force to allow the resumption of mass at churches, I am uncomfortable and deeply concerned with the stringent CB measures imposed which lacks sensitivity. We are asked to sanitize our hands just before receiving Holy Communion. Let’s be sensitive and respectful to the Lord as the Eucharist is the Body of Christ. Sanitizing the hands before receiving the Body of Christ is being disrespectful to God as He is pure and clean. The Body of Christ is clean, not dirty. Secondly, is taking Eucharist from the hands that has just been sanitized, healthy? What is MOH’s take on this? Surely if all parishioners wash their hands with soap and water before the commencement of the mass at the chapel, it is good enough. Let’s not go overboard on CB measures. A reader wrote in to MediaCorp’s Today newspaper expressing deep concern that there is only one entrance to get in/out of malls – with all the other entrances and exits locked. He questioned what would happen if a fire breaks out. Sensible letter. It is the same arrangement at churches, with only one entrance/exit allowed. Again, what would happen if a fire breaks out in the church compound during mass? Additionally, the elderly who have mobility issues will most certainly find it taxing walking in and out of the church. If a fire breaks out, how will the elderly escape? Getting to and from the Catholic church where I worship – Church of the Holy Spirit, simply means I have to walk one big round (which is a long distance) as all the gates are shut – with the exception of only one entrance/exit. To make matters worse, with the construction of the MRT, there are barricades put up along the path to only one gate. With cars and buses moving all the time, often speeding, one has to be extremely careful while making their way to and from the church. With arthritis causing me nagging problems, some consideration has to be shown to the elderly. Let’s not cut corners on safety – just because it is difficult to secure volunteers and staff. I do not stand during mass as its painful for me to do so. Trying being a caregiver for 4 decades and you’ll know what I mean. You get worn out and some understanding must be shown to people like us who despite their disability, make every effort to pray at church. Also, let’s adopt a ‘talk to’ attitude, rather than a ‘talk down’ attitude when encouraging people to attend mass or pray. For its not WHAT you say, but HOW you say it that makes the big difference. I go to this church only once a month, and its also to pray to my 3 immediate relatives: My mother, my wife and my only sister at the columbarium where their ashes lie. The departed must be honored – to the full extent. I used to go there every day or at least every other day, but because of reasons mentioned above, and with short opening hours, I cut down on the visits. My twin brother is in the nursing home, and I used to call on him at least twice a month; and spend one hour or so with him to give him that much-needed emotional support. Social isolation can do a lot of damage. Now with only half an hour allowed once a month, I don’t visit him. There is just too much restrictions that makes it daunting to provide the elderly with that much-needed support, empathy and compassion. In closing, let’s not view issues raised as complaints, but rather as constructive feedback – to improve lives. I await your response, and if the matter needs some time to evaluate, kindly let me have an acknowledgment or an interim reply – so that I don’t have to send a second email. In short, keep the communication lines open. Thank you. Sincerely, Raymond Anthony Fernando