Postpone marriages; we’ve lost many priests, appeals Archbishop Oswald Gracias

Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay.

Please don't let your guard down," appealed Cardinal Oswald Gracias, the Archbishop of Bombay, while amplifying the state government's COVID-19 restrictions. He asked parishioners to follow all safety protocols while attending weddings or funerals, but insisted that they postpone marriages if possible.

In a late-night video message, Cardinal Gracias said, "Reports are coming in from different dioceses and religious congregations of several priests and sisters being infected in the second wave and of quite a number of fatalities. We ourselves have been badly affected at the Archdiocese. We have lost several priests. I urge all of you to follow COVID-appropriate behaviour."

"I suggest you ask people to postpone their marriages because of this crisis. The marriage may be blessed with the special permission of the police."

According to the new curbs, only 20 mourners are allowed at a funeral, for which there will be only a burial rite and no Mass, and 25 guests at a wedding that has to be concluded in two hours. These restrictions remain in till 7 am on May 1 "if the number of cases comes down," he said.