VATICAN: Permits Priests to Say Up to Four Masses on Christmas Day
Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments Robert Cardinal Sarah
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Following Covid- 19 pandemic that has restricted the number of congregants to physically attend Mass, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has published a decree granting priests permission to celebrate up to four Masses on Christmas Day, January 1, the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God and on Epiphany to allow more of the faithful participants in worship.
In the decree dated Wednesday, December 16, and signed by the Prefect of the Congregation, Robert Cardinal Sarah, and the Secretary, Archbishop Arthur Roche, the diocesan bishops have been permitted to allow priests in their dioceses to say up to four Masses on said occasions, “In view of the situation brought about by the worldwide spread of the pandemic, by virtue of the faculties conceded to this Congregation by the Holy Father Francis, and due to the persistence of the general contagion of the so-called COVID-19 virus.”
Normally a priest ordinarily may celebrate Mass just once per day but according to the Code of Canon Law 905, “If there is a shortage of priests, the local ordinary can allow priests to celebrate twice a day for a just cause, or if pastoral necessity requires it, even three times on Sundays and holy days of obligation”
Meanwhile concerning liturgical guidelines for Christmas celebration in Kenya, members of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) have highlighted that the directives affirm the steadfast faith during trying moments, but also a firm adherence to protocols set by the Interfaith Council and the Ministry of Health to curb the spread of Covid-19.
In their statement as signed by the Chairman of KCCB Archbishop Philip Arnold Anyolo, “No official Church activity should be scheduled within the curfew hours.” It is not wise to unnecessarily expose ourselves and our parishioners to harassment and complaint from civil authority.”
The Prelate who is the Local ordinary of Kenya’s Kisumu Archdiocese noted on behalf of KCCB members in the Wednesday, December 9 statement, “No Vigil Masses should be celebrated in the night; and if the Local Ordinary allows, then the Masses should end by 7.00 P.M.”
Additionally, the tradition of kissing the image of the infant Jesus is not permitted this year and Christmas parties within the parish are discouraged.
