Indian priests told not to violate pandemic restrictions Call comes after a Catholic priest and 23 others were arrested for celebrating Mass in Kerala Indian commuters pedal past an art installation adorned with a face mask to raise awareness about Covid-19 safety protocols in Kolkata on June 2. (Photo: AFP) A Catholic official in India's Kerala state has asked priests not to create scandals after a priest and 23 others were arrested for celebrating Mass in a parish in violation of government Covid-19 restrictions. Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council’s deputy secretary-general Father Jacob Palackapilly said priests should adhere to all government protocols and restrictions to join the efforts to contain the pandemic’s spread.