Cancel Masses?

Health Department urges cancellation of public gatherings, CBCP calls for safety precautions from Corona Virus

Following the declaration of red alert in the Philippines due to the confirmed cases of Corona Virus or Covid-19, Dioceses in the Philippines are enjoined to strictly follow precautionary measures to avoid the spread of the virus.

Dioceses like Rome, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore have prompted their respective bishops in canceling the celebration of Masses where large number of people gather.

“We are strongly urged by the DOH to cancel, postpone or suspend all gatherings of great number of people. Each Local Ordinary must discern on this matter and consider with great priority the safety and health of our faithful,” said Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines President Archbishop Romulo G. Valles in a circular, March 10.

Though canceling masses is not implemented in the Philippines, the faithful are still to follow measures for their health and safety.

Just like what Dioceses abroad have done, those sick and the elderly may opt to hear mass using technology like television or even through online broadcast.

“The measures we are strongly recommending do not change the traditions of the Church but rather are temporary precautions during this time of crisis,” the Archbishop of Davao said.

Priests and lay ministers should also follow strictly the recommendations of the Department of Health, with the CBCP President saying “We continue to appeal to our priests and faithful to follow the hygiene protocol that the DOH has consistently requested to everyone, namely, the proper washing and sanitation of hands and avoidance of body contacts. There is nothing more effective measure in this crisis than the best effort to stay clean.”

CBCP also instructed parishes and chapels to disinfect the liturgical spaces after every use, sanitizers should be available at the church doors, holy water fonts should be emptied and refrain from kissing and touching sacred images during this time of crisis.

With this state of public health emergency in the country, health officials and the Church are calling for greater preparedness especially if the number of affected with Corona Virus in the Philippines continue to increase.