A look at managing a restriction.
With Covid still dominating all our lives, each government enables laws to suit local situations. Here in Paradise typical restrictions were implemented to curb gatherings just before end of year festivities. One of those restrictions for pubic and private gatherings only allows 50 people. However, another restriction only permits 10 persons at a time in places of worships, churches, temples, etc. The restrictions put on religious places was difficult to accept since most churches are very large buildings that can contain hundreds of people and can easily manage 50 persons with social distancing. In reality there can be 50-60 passengers packed in close proximity for public transport but only 10 allowed in Church. When the religious authority the Diocese tried to get the restriction revised they were met with a stone wall. Many priests around Paradise were angry and disappointed since this shut-down possibilities of holding services within church buildings. Thus workarounds were created to at least offer some services in several parishes. Hence the defiant “la messe lor Koltar” translated as mass on coaltar meaning mass being celebrated on asphalt i.e. out on the road or parking. Catholic mass services started to be celebrated in front of their church buildings on parking areas so as to receive 50 people.
This restrictive decision seems to have been adopted by culturally deficient civil servants. I am not saying it was deliberate to curb Catholic services or religions in general, however, to be so ignorant about the functioning of various religions in a multi-cultural population is quite surprising. Either they are dumb or megalomaniacs.
The result of this is that the Catholic celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ has been seriously disrupted and relegated to one televised mass on Christmas eve. Other parishes are doing what they can in respect of the restrictions. However the situation is seen as a major gaffe and an afront of the Christmas celebration. From a spiritual perspective, Jesus was born in a stable because there was no room available for the migrant family. So this insult even chucks out Jesus and family out of their abode and on to the asphalt road. Nice Christmas present, I think NOT.
Something to remember when next election time comes by. Also an example of how subtly laws can be manipulated to curb religious activities. Pity that our Council of Religions does not seem to be proactive in defending through negotiations but rather gives the impression of remaining politically correct.
So we end the year, once again in restrictive and morose mode. Best to keep safe in these pandemic times. Look forward to 2022 with hope that it will bring long-lasting solutions to beat Covid. Wishing you and families a peaceful Christmas may the new year be a safe one with positive change.
Sounds about right Mike, that the various authorities around the world, simply do not or will not apply the correct regulations and advice, to deal with the problems that have surrounded-us since December 2019.
I believe that in fact, those that are supposed to make the correct decisions to protect us and stop the spread of COVID’19 and any variant, were and still are, only concerned about the financial, economical and social etc. benefits of taking whatever actions over these past two years. In fact those decisions/actions have directly damaged or destroyed those benefits, as well s destroyed numerous lives too. All for the fact that the only correct and initial decision – would have been to simply shut the doors between all countries for any type of travel for any reason what-so-ever (except commercial-produce) until the virus problem was isolated and eventually eradicated in each country/region.
It has been the people themselves who have been carrying and passing-on the virus with impunity – by their apparent need to travel in cigar-tube type aircraft and other methods of travel by rail, land and sea etc., who regardless of any jabs and apparently-accurate testing-methods, seem to believe (as told by those authorities) that they are or maybe safe to travel. Unfortunately it was and is now – not the case that travel is safe, except in just local areas of any country or state, where there are no cases of the virus..
So as Mike has intimated about large churches being affected as :-
“One of those restrictions for pubic and private gatherings only allows 50 people. However, another restriction only permits 10 persons at a time in places of worships, churches, temples, etc. The restrictions put on religious places was difficult to accept since most churches are very large buildings that can contain hundreds of people and can easily manage 50 persons with social distancing. In reality there can be 50-60 passengers packed in close proximity for public transport but only 10 allowed in Church. When the religious authority the Diocese tried to get the restriction revised they were met with a stone wall. ”
is just another example of the stupidity and “brain-dead” of those that make these decisions.
So how will 2022 be better than 2020 / 2021 ? We can only hope better, but I personally am unlikely to benefit from any improvement before the end of the coming-year, as I am unlikely to be around for such benefit, thanks to those who with their own impunity/impunities, selfishness and greed are preventing me getting the treatment I will safely need to remain alive beyond 2022…
I wish those who have taken the trouble to read and understand that which both Mike and myself have written here, the best Christmas that they can have – safely – and a better 2022 for themselves, their families and friends…
Mr.Terry
Spot-on Terry. In these times when vaccination is only a partial solution, the most logical has always been the confinement/lockdown. However, since the priority is to keep the economy going at all costs then the result is costly on the population. Travel continues between countries and it facilitates the spread of the variants as Mauritius is discovering through genome sequencing testing. Hoping that 2022 will bring more efficient and long-term vaccines.