How the communities prepare

Due to the corona pandemic, masses could not be celebrated for several weeks in Bavaria, the pews were inevitably left empty. From Monday services and prayers are now allowed again. However, according to the state government’s instructions, some conditions apply.

The worshipers must wear a mask during the event and keep a distance of at least two meters within closed rooms. In addition, the service may not last longer than an hour. In addition, the churches and religious communities have developed their own protection concepts.

Protecting believers is a priority

From the point of view of Bishop Franz Jung in Würzburg, the celebration of the service is “a basic execution of the church”. Nevertheless, the most important thing is the protection of the faithful, said Jung in a decree. For the time being, the diocese can therefore only offer Word-God celebrations and devotions without a communion donation. In addition, services can only take place in churches whose rows of seats are accessible from two sides.

At the entrance there should also be admission controls, said Jung. How many people can attend a service depends on the size of the church and the local conditions. Therefore, every church congregation must draw up a seating plan. Singing together is also reduced to a minimum because of the possible droplet infection.

“It will be a lot different than usual,” says Gisela Bornowski, Protestant regional bishop of the Ansbach-Würzburg church district. In the Evangelical Church, too, it depends above all on the individual congregations and the local conditions of what the services can look like from the coming weeks. Bornowski considers permission to celebrate services to be a step in the right direction: “People are longing to be able to experience fellowship in a church.” For older people in particular, worship is an important opportunity to maintain social contacts.

Nevertheless, it is important to proceed carefully, the bishop emphasizes: “We also encourage the parishes to make their own decisions – for example, if security cannot be guaranteed in a church.” If no church services take place in your own church as of Monday, digital offers will continue to be a good alternative.

Jewish services only from mid-May

The Jewish community of Würzburg and Lower Franconia are particularly careful with the easing in the corona pandemic. “We will wait a little longer for the services to begin,” announced Josef Schuster, the chairman of the congregation. The background is that especially older people, who are particularly at risk from the corona virus, attend religious events. The first services are planned for the second half of May.

For believers, the return of a certain religious life is also important for mental health, says Schuster, who has been President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany since 2014. Digitally transmitted services are only a limited alternative for traditional Jews – believers are not allowed to use electronic devices on Jewish holidays. “So TV broadcasts are eliminated.”

Muslim community distributes masks

For Shergil Ahmad Khan, Imam of the Muslim Ahmadiyya community in Würzburg, the opportunity to pray together again comes at exactly the right time. The Muslim fasting month of Ramadan began a week ago. “When I pray at home, I just don’t get the same feeling as when I am in the mosque,” says Khan.

However, the security of the members is also the top priority for his community. A specially founded committee took care of working out necessary protective measures, says the Imam: “From now on we will no longer stand shoulder to shoulder while praying, but keep our distance.” The congregation also endeavors to provide mouth-and-nose protection for all believers who come to the mosque without a mask.