Public services can take place again. The parishes in the district also celebrate masses again. However, with many restrictions and requirements.
District - May and June are the months of major church events. First communion and confirmation with the Catholic and confirmation with the Evangelical Christians regularly ensure that the churches are full. What the pastor normally rejoices will make them worry lines this year. Because of the coronavirus, crowded church pews are a real source of danger - and if in doubt, a violation of the distance rules to contain the pandemic. When and under what conditions the faithful in the district can go back to the churches, we asked the Catholic dean Michael Mannhardt and the evangelical pastor of Miesbach and Hausham, Erwin Sergel.
When will there be services again?
According to the announcement by the Bavarian state government, public measurement celebrations should be possible again from May 4th. As the Archbishop's Office in Munich announces on its website, but to a limited extent. In order to ensure compliance with the hygiene requirements, a protection concept has been developed that is currently still in coordination with the state government. "After that, further preparation and implementation takes place in the parishes."
As the Evangelical Church in Bavaria (EKLB) informs, an ecumenical sense has been worked out together with the Catholic dioceses. By decision of the Bavarian cabinet, the basis for the lifting of the "prohibition of meetings in churches" was created, provided that the "principles for the protection of health in services and recommendations for an infection control concept as well as the common obligation apply.
What do the pastors in the district say?
From the weekend, 9./10. May, public services are to take place again in the Miesbach dean's office, Mannhardt said. But with a big but: Because in smaller village churches with just one entrance the required distances could hardly be kept, the masses would initially only be celebrated in large churches, for example in the Miesbach parish church or in St. Anton in Hausham. In order to channel the as yet unpredictable number of visitors, a registration procedure is currently being developed. Of course, the obligation to wear a mask also applies.
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Erwin Sergel, Protestant pastor.
© Thomas Plettenberg
Mannhardt considers it unlikely that he will give communion to the faithful in the foreseeable future. Distributing hosts with tongs and gloves, he finds "absurd". In general, the dean can hardly imagine how joy in celebrating together can arise under these conditions. Word God celebrations could be a suitable way. Without the Eucharist, but at least with praying together. Otherwise, the priest continues to appeal to the patience of the faithful. "We Christians believe in a strong inner connection," emphasizes Mannhardt.
Sergel, who is also responsible for the parish in Schliersee after the departure of the Striebeck priest couple, already mentions a start date. The first public service according to the Corona exit restrictions is to take place in Miesbach and Neuhaus on Sunday, May 10th. “The need to feel community again is great,” says Sergel.
Nevertheless, one has to live with numerous restrictions until further notice. Due to the rules on distance, only 22 believers could celebrate the service for the time being, wearing mouth and nose protection was compulsory. So that as many as possible could come to church, Sergel even plans two masses in the Apostles Church in Miesbach on May 10: at 9 a.m. and at 10.30 a.m. "We absolutely want to avoid having to send someone away," says the pastor.
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Therefore, he asks the parishioners to register with the parish office by email or phone from next Thursday. The faithful would then be brought to their places on the spot. Since choir and brass are not allowed, the two singers Ursula Bommer and Barbara Pischetsrieder perform. "I hope that everyone will go out of the service in a good mood," says Sergel. The planning for Neuhaus would still be ongoing. It is already clear that a service will be celebrated in the Apostle Peter Church on May 10th.
What about first communion?
Communion children with masks who can't even shake hands around the altar: "A terrible picture," says Mannhardt. Even if he receives many inquiries from insecure parents these days: the dean emphasizes that a return to normalcy cannot come about quickly even with first communion. Alone because of the number of visitors: "400 people in a church: these are major events," says Mannhardt.
Still, no one had to worry about not being able to receive the sacrament. All parishes would think about what a replacement solution could look like. As an example, Mannhardt mentions inviting the First Communion children and their families individually and one after the other to Sunday services. Postponing all dates to 2021 is hardly feasible due to the abundance.
The same applies to the confirmations, although some parishes were lucky here and the celebrations were held in good time before the Corona crisis.
What about the confirmation?
The confirmation celebrations will not take place in the Protestant parish of Miesbach-Hausham before October, Sergel announced. This was communicated to the affected families at an early stage so that they could plan. "Many guests travel from far away," explains Sergel. That would not have been possible in times of exit restrictions. Sergel hopes that a normal service will be possible again until October.