Benches or pews in churches will have markers on it to indicate where the faithful should sit when they attend religious services under the “new normal.”
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines said these markers will help strictly observe social distancing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Based on the CBCP recommendations and guidelines on liturgical celebration under the “new normal” condition, a tape will also be placed on the floor in areas where the faithful might stand in line to receive Holy Communion for proper spacing between persons.
It added that Holy Communion will still be distributed only on the hand by priests and lay ministers who should wear face masks and sanitize their hands before and after the distribution.
Churches are also asked to have thermal scanners, foot baths and hand sanitizers at the entrances of the church.
There will still be no holding of hands during the singing or praying of the “Our Father” and shaking of hands during the Sign of Peace, said the CBCP.
The faithful attending the Mass should also wear face masks while the elderly and the sick, the young, and the children are encouraged to stay home and not to attend Mass.
The CBCP said the priest celebrant should not wear masks or gloves during the celebration of the Mass, but should remain more than 1 meter from the congregation during the Mass.
“In such circumstances, there is no substantial risk of infection,” it said.
As to the schedule of masses, churches are advised that anticipated or vigil Mass shall be reckoned beginning any time after 12 noon on Saturday as a faithful who attends any Mass after midday of Saturday shall be in fulfillment of Sunday obligation; and that all evening Masses from Wednesday to Friday, using Sunday Liturgy, may be deemed anticipated Sunday Mass or as satisfying the Sunday obligation.
The CBCP also strongly recommended to continue to livestream or televise all Masses, through social media to reach as many people as possible.
Baptisms, weddings and funerals will also have limited participants.
Baptism and funerals shall be restricted to the immediate family members and to one or a pair of godparents while wedding rites will only have the bride and the groom, the parents of the couple, and one set of sponsors.
As for confessions, the CBCP reminded priests not to hear confessions via telephone or Zoom teleconferencing as this must be done in person.
CBCP President Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles said parishes need to learn new ways to cope with the “new normal” after the enhanced community quarantine when they begin to celebrate the liturgy, especially the Holy Eucharist, with the faithful in attendance.
“But we believe that following these guidelines is a reasonable sacrifice. For the interest of the common good, and ultimately to best serve our own community, we want to contribute to solve this crisis and soon be freed from the threat of the pandemic,” he said.
The Inter-Agency Task Force earlier allowed the holding of religious gatherings in areas placed under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) and general community quarantine (GCQ), but with limited number of people. (Leslie Ann Aquino)
