Lockdown tests faith in virus-hit Philippines
AFTER months of livestreaming mass to millions of faithful from behind closed doors, churches in the Catholic-majority Philippines are beginning to reopen.
But strict coronavirus rules mean worship is still far from normal, and the contagion spreading across the deeply religious country has forced churches to get creative to meet the spiritual needs of their congregations.
In the usually packed Baclaran Church in Manila, temperature guns, hand sanitiser, contact-tracing forms and uniformed security guards greet the faithful wearing masks and plastic face shields.
Social distancing rules limit three people to pews that normally seat 10, and every second bench is left empty in the cavernous church.
Face coverings must be worn at all times, even when believers take the piece of bread given to them
during the Holy Communion by a priest or minister.
“It feels so strange,” said Rachel Mendioro, who is eight months pregnant with her first child.
“Seeing few people (inside the church) gives you a different vibe. It really tells you that the world is facing a problem right now.”
With churches in Manila limited to filling only 10% of their seating capacity and many still fearful of infection, online mass remains popular.
Forced to worship at home since March, Rederacion Parina, 77, said she wept when she recently returned to Baclaran for the first time.
She walked the 6km from her home instead of taking public transport to save money for food.
“My body is gaining strength when I go out (to visit the church) ... I feel calm,” said Parina.
“When I’m stuck at home ... I feel like I’m nearing my end.”