Major churches in Mumbai set for security audit after Sri Lanka blasts

One of the suggestions at the meeting was to use the traditional greeting by ushers at every church to recognise members of the congregation. “So perhaps newcomers, unless that are attending a service along with a parishioner, could be screened in an unobtrusive and inoffensive manner,” Dr Mathai said. This was suggested in addition to other measures such as hand-held metal detectors and CCTV camera systems. As the traditional greeting would not be effective where the number of attendees is very large and where members of various faiths and non-regulars attend a service, the Mumbai Police will undertake a security audit for St Micheal’s Church in Mahim where every Wednesday tens of thousands gather, and for Mount Mary Church in Bandra, where similarly devotees from various religious backgrounds congregate on certain days, during feasts, etc.

Over the weekend, Christian communities across the country discussed a WhatsApp message that went viral, regarding burning of churches in India. While representatives of the church were quick to inform community members that the message was fake, worried people shared and discussed the message nevertheless. Priests and parishioners from across Mumbai, however, said that there was no dip in the numbers of those who attended the services on Sunday.

Father Nigel Barrett, spokesperson for the Mumbai Archdiocese, said the Archbishop’s house will soon convey to all 11 zones under which Mumbai’s churches are clustered the recommendations made by the police. “It’s not a sense of fear but one of being prepared,” he said, adding that the archbishop sees it as a matter of concern that churches could be soft targets. “It will be recommended to all churches to undertake an audit and put some measures in place, but various parishes would need to talk to their stakeholders and it will be a collaborative effort over a period of time.”

Some parishes would have to raise money for the audits and to put in place any security mechanisms that are found to be required. While most churches already have CCTVs, these would be seen as a forensic tool but not one that can be a deterrent.