ILOILO – Catholics should find ways to attend Mass even without being physically present at the sanctuary as big gatherings are discouraged to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Father Angelo Colada, chairperson of the Archdiocese of Jaro’s social communication office, advised the faithful to attend church service through Facebook live streaming or Masses aired live on local television networks and radio stations.
These are some measures where Catholics could still fulfill their Sunday obligation without risking exposure to the virus, he said.
Colada’s call came after Mayor Jerry Treñas issued an advisory to cancel all “religious services, masses and the like” in Iloilo City for two weeks as part of precautionary measures against COVID-19.
“I am asking everyone to please cancel all religious services, masses and the like in Iloilo City for the next two weeks as our move to restrict and prevent the spread of COVID-19 virus. This virus is one of the most infectious and virulent one to hit the world and we in the local government are only trying to keep out city safe,” said Treñas.
Colada, for his part, said the Diocese of Jaro is ready to cancel all public Masses, saying they can’t compromise the health of the public.
“We have to follow the regulation of the government because sila ya ang expert kon ano ang i-recommend nila para sa aton because ang priority naton is ikaayong lawas especially at risk tungod sang COVID-19,” Colada told Panay News.
But Colada said priests would continue to say daily Masses in their parish churches with only a “handful of needed and healthy attendees e.g. lectors, acolytes, choir, regulated by safety protocol, especially social distancing.”
He disclosed that Treñas has discussed with Most Reverend Jose Romeo Lazo, Archbishop of Jaro on Sunday further precautionary measures to keep worshipers safe from illness.
Earlier, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) advised those who are feeling unwell physically to refrain from liturgical assemblies until they are certain of their diagnosis.
The CBCP also appealed to priests and the clergy to follow hygiene protocol requested by the Department of Health such as proper handwashing and avoidance of body contact.
Liturgical spaces should be disinfected after every liturgical service and hand sanitizers placed at the doors of churches for church goers./PN
