Religious communities respond with streaming and apps
Religious communities in the canton of St. Gallen have responded to the ban on gatherings by offering online services: worship services are being streamed, and apps are sending push notifications during Ramadan. There is some uncertainty, among other things, regarding funeral services.
Representatives of various religions and denominations meet regularly with the canton. This time, they first conducted a brief survey on the impact of the pandemic measures and then discussed the results in a video conference.
According to a statement issued by the Department of Home Affairs on Monday, the religious communities had "switched to primarily internet-based forms" of services such as communal prayer or counseling in a very short space of time.
The range of technical aids used is broad. While professionally produced church service broadcasts from St. Gallen Cathedral are distributed via streams, other religious communities use less expensive forms.
The Islamic Community in Wil, for example, offers a smartphone app via which the imam can invite people to pray together or to presentations and discussions via push messages during the fasting month of Ramadan.
Improved communication
However, the survey also showed that all religious communities have been severely affected by the pandemic measures. The ban on gatherings severely restricts the communal practice of religion in the form of religious services or communal prayers.
Around two weeks ago, considerable shortcomings in communication between hospitals and care homes and the religious communities were noted. In the meantime, the situation has improved. Individual support is being requested, for example in setting up "chat boxes" in care homes or in the use of social media in pastoral care for the elderly.
The religious communities identified a need for clarification regarding funerals. This concerns the use of cemetery chapels and the question of who is specifically responsible for compliance with the various regulations during a funeral. "Corresponding clarifications have been initiated," the department announced. (SDA)
