Sunday Mass will resume in Catholic churches today (12) after a lapse of three weeks . The churches have been advised by the Archdiocese to appoint ‘vigilance committees’ made up of parishioners, who will liaise closely with the Police and Security Forces to ensure security of the congregation, said Rev. Fr. Edmond Thilakarathna, spokesman for [...]

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Sunday Mass resumes today; no decision on Catholic schools yet

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Sunday Mass will resume in Catholic churches today (12) after a lapse of three weeks .

The churches have been advised by the Archdiocese to appoint ‘vigilance committees’ made up of parishioners, who will liaise closely with the Police and Security Forces to ensure security of the congregation, said Rev. Fr. Edmond Thilakarathna, spokesman for the Church.

Church officials, however, said that no final decision had still been reached on reopening Catholic private schools.

In a media briefing attended by Bishops from all 12 Dioceses in the country, on Thursday (8), Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith told journalists they were hoping to open Catholic private schools on Tuesday (14), subject to the security situation. He however, said no final decision had been reached.

Church officials told the Sunday Times yesterday that the May 14 reopening date for schools was yet to be finalized, as the security situation was still being assessed.

In the event they are not satisfied with the security situation, Catholic private schools will remain closed till after Vesak, the Archbishop of Colombo told the media.

While the conducting of Sunday Mass in the Colombo Archdiocese will recommence today, it will be up to the Bishops of each Diocese to decide whether they will recommence conducting Sunday Mass. This can be done after consulting the local security forces commanders and police officers in their areas and obtaining security guarantees.

Sunday Mass in some parts of the island commenced last week. Sunday Mass in the Galle Diocese was held last Sunday.

Meanwhile, many Buddhist Sunday Dhamma Schools in the country too, are unlikely to open till at least after Vesak. Commissioner of Buddhist Affairs (Dhamma Schools) H.N. Kumari told the Sunday Times they had earlier advised that Dhamma Schools be reopened only after schools reopened.

“As of now, schools haven’t fully reopened, with Primary sections still remaining closed, so it’s unlikely that many Dhamma Schools will reopen,” she said.

Ms Kumari though, said the chief incumbents of temples can reopen Dhamma Schools in their temples, after consultation with the security committees of their areas and the local police.

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