A Mexican bishop who said that coronavirus could be God’s punishment for abortion and sexual diversity officiated an open air mass for people to attend from their cars during the pandemic.
The innovative mass took place in the city of Cuernavaca, in the south-central Mexican state of Morelos.
According to national newspaper Excelsior, the first ‘Drive-in Mass’ was organised by city bishop Ramon Castro after three months of the churches being closed, so that members of the community could receive their sacraments without risk of spreading the contagion.
According to national news outlet El Financiero, Bishop Castro was the protagonist of a scandal at the beginning of the pandemic when, during mass, he insinuated that coronavirus was a punishment for trying to play God.
At one point in the recorded mass, the Bishop said: “ We let the boys wait to see what gender they want to be, that a girl wants to be a boy, Ah Caray! Surely God says, where are my children going? I am their father and I love them and I am merciful, they are going to an abyss, he is shouting at us ”
The controversial Bishop continued to give mass to his followers throughout the pandemic via social media, until they came up with the idea of the drive-in.
Castro told Excelsior that the owners of some land in the city offered the space for them to be able to carry out the drive-in mass, with a capacity of up to 50 cars.
Castro said: “The initiative came from an idea of the parish priest Roberto Carrasco and when the owners of this place asked if we wanted to use it we gladly accepted, this way we are able to partake in this celebration with our people without risk of contagion.
“This is the first drive-in mass in the history of the Diocese of Cuernavaca, we hope that the experience will be good and we will continue every Sunday as long as there is a health emergency.”
According to Excelsior, the cars were sanitised before entering, the occupants had their temperature taken and they were given alcohol gel for their hands.
The initiative was applauded by participants, who said they had missed going to church.
Local resident Carmen Cinta, said: “I think it was a wonderful idea, I think it was a great experience, the truth is that after so many months without mass for me it was wonderful.”
Whilst Cristian Moran said: “We did not hesitate to come to witness the live celebration of the Bishop, to see him physically because we have been following him through his masses on social networks, but it was necessary to see him personally and feel that vibe that the Bishop has towards the people, that humility that he radiates throughout his body.”
According to Excelsior, the mass lasted an hour and a half and will continue every Sunday during the de-escalation, although from now on will be officiated by the priest Carrasco.
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Story By: Lisa-Maria Goertz, Sub-Editor: Michael Leidig, Agency: Central European News
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