Media Release  |  March 31 2021

JOY OF EASTER RETURNS FOR FAITHFUL

The Catholic Archbishop of Adelaide, Patrick O’Regan, has welcomed with “great joy” the opportunity for large numbers of people to attend Easter services.

The Archdiocese received confirmation today that 100 per cent capacity will be allowed in places of worship with fixed seating (pews), provided masks are worn. If the number of attendees is 75 per cent of capacity or less, masks are not required.

In places of worship where there is no fixed seating, the number of chairs are limited to three per four square metres. The same rule applies, that is, 100 per cent with masks or 75 per cent without masks.

The changes, which take effect from today, come in time for the Mass of the Last Supper on Holy Thursday.

St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral will have capacity for 800 worshippers if masks are worn, a significant increase on the previous limit of 240 people.

Archbishop O’Regan said the easing of restrictions for places of worship was welcome news for Christians wanting to retrace the death and resurrection of Jesus and what this means for them in their lives today.

“It is a great joy to be celebrating the highest point in the Christian year in a vastly different way to last Easter when sadly our churches were closed,” he said.

“While we managed to find different ways to pray and worship, nothing can replace coming together as a community and receiving the Eucharist.”

The Adelaide Archdiocese is live streaming the Good Friday Passion of the Lord and Easter Masses via its website (www.adelaide.catholic.org.au) and the Easter Sunday Mass will be replayed on Channel 44 at 7pm the same day.

Archbishop O’Regan will be available for interviews at 10.30am on Easter Sunday at St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral, prior to celebrating the 11am Mass.

For information on other services over Easter, please contact Jenny Brinkworth on 0438 727 677.