Anti-conversion law and Middle East conflict will reflect in Good Friday themes

MUMBAI: The 40-day penance of Lent will peak at Good Friday April 3. The Christian community will lead live tableaux depicting the final hours of Jesus Christ followed by his crucifixion. Concern over the new anti-conversion law enacted in Maharashtra, and the conflict in the Middle East, will resonate in the themes.

Around 600-800 parishioners of Our Lady of the Forsaken Church in Malwani will arrive for Good Friday service, said parish priest Fr Wilfred Vaz. "There is no mass since Jesus is absent [crucified], but we distribute communion which has been blessed on Holy Thursday. At the end of the service youngsters enact Christ's crucifixion. In fact people ask why do you call it Good Friday, what is good about it if Christ died this day. However, the term derives from the fact that Christ died for the good of humanity," Fr Wilfred said.

Fr Nigel Barrett, spokesperson for the archdiocese of Bombay, is also parish priest of St Andrew's Church, Bandra. He said, "Lenten observances culminate on Maundy Thursday with a life-size Last Supper display and on Good Friday with the Crucified Christ solemnly being brought down from the cross and entombed. Though seemingly defeated, the king of the universe was crowned with thorns, enthroned on the cross, and used his divine power to forgive his executioners, as he bore the sins of humanity."

Around 10.00 am Friday at Sacred Heart Church in Santacruz, hundreds of Christians will attend the live Stations of the Cross enacted in Broadway musical style organised by the Christi Sevak Federation. Organiser Joseph Dias said the parade started 37 years ago when many non-Christians believed that Good Friday was a feast, rather than mourning.

This year CSF will pray for "persecuted Christians and innocent people who may be affected by the anti-conversion law" passed by the Maharashtra state assembly. Taking a cue from Pope Leo, the gathering will also pray for peace in the Middle East.

A 23-year-old marketing professional Del Jacinto will enact the part of Jesus. He says carrying the actual wooden cross for six hours as he walks through the streets does not pose a burden thanks to the love and faith of thousands of spectators who line the route. "Some people are so moved they come to seek my blessings. I do not bless them because I am not God, but I pray for them," Jacinto said.

Meanwhile in Thane after 52 years of litigation, parishioners of Our Lady of Mercy Church were able to offer Maundy Thursday mass at the 1562 church, said activist Melwyn Fernandes.