The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) asked prelates to consider with great priority the safety and health of the faithful.
CBCP president Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles said this following the declaration of a state of public health emergency in the country due to the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
In a circular letter, the prelate said each local bishop must “discern” as the health department strongly urged to cancel, postpone or suspend all gatherings of great number of people.
Since the coronavirus continues to affect a greater number of the population causing fear, anxiety, and genuine concern, Valles said: “We need to take all of these seriously.”
“In the face of this world wide pandemic we are demanded to exercise vigilance as a Church, lest our churches become venues of transmission of the disease,” he said.
The CBCP then recommended precautionary measures during this time of crisis such as discouraging the sick and immunocompromised individuals from attending masses and other church activities.
“Taking the basic steps of wellness as recommended by the health authorities is not only sensible, but wise and considerate of others. In truth, it is an expression of genuine charity,” Valles said.
He said vulnerable populations like elderly, those who are immunocompromised may view the celebration of Holy Mass on television and the social media.
Liturgical spaces, he said should be disinfected/sanitized after every liturgical services and hand sanitizers should be placed at the doors of churches for the use of church goers.
Valles said the reception of Holy Communion by the hand will continue to be implemented as he reminded priests and lay ministers to wear face masks when giving communion as a protection for themselves and the communicants.
Holy water fonts at the doors or entrances of churches, he said, should be emptied during this time of crisis.
Valles said as for confessions, it should be done in the Confessionals with a protective cloth installed at the grill.
It also said that churches must refrain from passing the donation box to the churchgoers during masses, rather have the collectors hold the collection bag and brought them to the faithful.
Lastly, he reiterated their appeal for the faithful to refrain from kissing and touching sacred images and statues. (Leslie Ann G. Aquino)
