Cardinal Alencherry urges for austerity measures

Festivities should be without firecrackers and trade on church premises during festive occasions should end, he said.

Kochi:  The head of the Syro-Malabar Church Cardinal George Alencherry has appealed to the faithful to put curbs on church festivities, to reduce noise and pomp, and turn feasts into occasions of simplicity and kindness.

The Cardinal said it was time traditional festivals were given a makeover.

The faithful are unable to pray in peace and tranquillity amid firecrackers and loudspeaker announcements during festival days, the Cardinal said in a statement issued to the press here on Aug 17.

Festivities should be without firecrackers and trade on church premises during festive occasions should end, he said.

The Cardinal said the practice of serving meals at festivals at churches should be reconsidered and that the practice of cooking and eating meals on church premises as votive practices should end.

The practice of advertising various feast days and the festive occasions should end. These advertisements would create misunderstandings, he added.

Source: The Hindu