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By far, without singing, or better online? In the corona pandemic, it is debated whether Christmas services can take place. Politics urges churches to make a decision.
Even confessing refusals to the church they allow themselves to attend Christmas mass at Christmas time. Christmas services on Christmas Eve are very busy each year, sometimes even crowded. This year, of course, it will look different: the question of how and if it has been clarified has not yet been clarified.
Brinkhaus calls on churches to act
The leader of the union parliamentary group Ralph Brinkhaus called on churches to consider alternatives to religious services. “I appeal to the understanding of Christian churches to reduce church events as much as possible,” said the CDU politician of the “Rheinische Post”. Believers should not be exposed to any risk. Brinkhaus also didn’t rule out the fact that regulations would have to be established by ordinance, in case the churches don’t move. Christmas does not fail for that, stressed the leader of the group.
For the moment, churches still rely on hygiene and distance rules rather than outright bans. The Protestant regional bishop of Hanover, Ralf Meister, spoke out in favor of sticking to the planned religious services on Christmas Eve. “We will still need a lot of strength in the coming weeks,” he told the Evangelical Press Service. epd, therefore, one cannot do without “strengthening the Christmas services”. It has been carefully prepared, Meister stressed, among other things with a carefully crafted hygiene plan.
Within the distance – singing alone outside
Above all, one should avoid singing in the houses of God. Among other things, the Evangelical Church in Berlin relies on this, in addition to the mask requirement and a reduced number of visitors. Short, small religious services are planned there, most of which must take place outdoors. Complemented with offers on television, radio and live broadcast.
The Catholic Church does not consider it necessary to cancel services. The Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK) declared that Christmas without going to church is still difficult for many to imagine, but one understands that there must be restrictions. A ban on singing is also conceivable for ZdK president Thomas Sternberg. Singing songs is already suspended in many dioceses. He relied on the ingenuity of the communities, Sternberg told the Germany publishing network. “The festival can unleash creativity, with services in the house, prayers, outdoor singing and more.” With a requirement of distance, reporting obligation, sanitization, and consideration, church services are basically possible.
Virologist Alexander Kekulé and SPD health expert Karl Lauterbach had already called for a ban on singing in all churches. The federal and state governments want to advise on the national requirements for church services at Christmas during the day.
