Karachi’s Catholic churches closed amid coronavirus spread

The Catholic Archdiocese of Karachi has closed all Catholic churches and shut down services across the city for an indefinite time in view of the coronavirus spread.

In a letter to Reverend Fathers and co-workers, Karachi Archbishop Joseph Coutts said the Sindh government had ordered the halting of public gatherings at places of worship and shrines. “Accordingly, religious services in all our churches will not be open to the public with immediate effect, until further notice.”

The Catholic Archdiocese of Karachi has also set up posters in English and Urdu outside churches to explain the situation and the importance of isolation, avoiding close contact and avoiding gathering in groups. The Catholic Archdiocese of Karachi urged priests to teach people that not being able to go to church could be fruitfully used by gathering at home as a family to pray together.