Pakistani churches shift Mass times, offer water amid record heat wave

As an intense heat wave grips Pakistan, churches are providing relief to worshippers through adjusted Mass schedules, water distribution, heat-awareness campaigns, and improved ventilation.

Daily Mass schedules at St. Patrickʼs Cathedral in the port city of Karachi have been adjusted after Archbishop Benny Mario Travas urged Catholics to take precautions during daytime hours, Father Mario Rodrigues, principal of St. Patrickʼs High School and former rector of the cathedral, told EWTN News.

“Prayer timings have been shifted to early mornings and late evenings. Churches have been instructed to install reverse-osmosis water filtration plants and water coolers. We are trying our best to respond to the soaring mercury,” he said.

Rodrigues spoke on June 9, when high humidity pushed the “feels-like” temperature to around 48 degrees Celsius (118 degrees Fahrenheit) in Pakistanʼs largest city, home to about 200,000 Catholics.

Media reports said at least 14 people died in Karachi last month during a heat spell that saw temperatures reach 44.1 degrees Celsius (111 degrees Fahrenheit), the highest recorded in the city since 2018.

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The Pakistan Meteorological Department has warned that heat wave conditions are likely to intensify across the country, with temperatures expected to remain 4-6 degrees Celsius (about 7-11 degrees Fahrenheit) above normal in northern regions and 5-7 degrees Celsius (about 9-13 degrees Fahrenheit) above normal in southern areas on June 10–11.

Father Anthony Arbaz, parish priest of St. James Church in Karachi, the capital of the southern province of Sindh, said 11 churches in his parish are relying on natural ventilation and community awareness to protect worshippers.

“We are widening windows and opening all ceiling ventilators in our churches. Karachiʼs nights were once famous for being cool even during the hottest months. Not anymore,” he said.

“It is a difficult situation for the entire country. Even ventilation seems helpless under the scorching sun because the fans only circulate hot air.”

Arbaz said cold drinking water is being provided to worshippers, while volunteers add oral rehydration solution and flavored electrolyte drinks to water coolers.

“Doctors and nurses are invited after Mass to educate the faithful on preventing heatstroke through simple measures such as carrying water bottles and covering their heads with wet towels,” he added.

Samson Chris, a medical assistant who has conducted heat-awareness sessions at St. James Church for the past three years, said church youth groups have been encouraged to shift sports activities to the evening.

“The attendance of elderly people at the 10 p.m. Mass has declined because prolonged power outages of 12-16 hours a day are disrupting sleep and affecting their health,” he said.

In Lahore, air conditioning brings new costs

In Lahore, where temperatures have also exceeded 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) this week, some churches are turning to air conditioning despite rising electricity costs.

Attendance at Holy Cross Catholic Church increased in the summer after two air-conditioning units were installed in 2024. However, church leaders now face mounting utility bills.

“Authorities at Sacred Heart Cathedral stopped contributing toward the electricity costs after the air-conditioning system was installed. The parish priest initially resisted the move, but parishioners insisted because the church, located above a school building, receives direct sunlight throughout the day,” said Anthony Gill, a member of the church committee.

The churchʼs electricity bill reached 14,000 Pakistani rupees (about $50) in May. Parishioners now take up a special collection on the first two Sundays of each month to help cover the expense.

“We also appeal to relatives, especially those living in Western countries, to support the church financially so that worshippers can find some relief from the heat during prayer services,” Gill said.

Source: https://www.ewtnnews.com/world/asia-pacific/pakistani-churches-shift-mass-times-offer-water-amid-record-heat-wave