Church leaders welcome govt nod for 10% seating capacity in Masses
Catholic bishops welcomed the government decision allowing Churches in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) to hold Masses with 10 percent seating capacity starting July 10, saying “it is a good sign.”
“It is a good start in reopening our Churches,” Bishop Honesto Ongtioco of Cubao said.
The decision was made by the Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).
Religious gatherings have been suspended in all places of worship since March 19 when many parts of the country were placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) due to the new coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. The measure aimed to prevent the spread of the disease.
Some bishops earlier appealed to the government to reconsider its guideline allowing only 10 people to join religious services in areas under GCQ.
“There is a good development. There’s a big difference between 10 persons and 10 percent,” said Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Manila Rev. Broderick S. Pabillo, D.D.
In areas under modified GCQ (MGCQ), Churches are allowed to hold services at 50 percent seating capacity.
Diocesan guidelines around the resumption of Mass have been issued to parishes, and are in line with national protocols.
“We follow the government protocol in helping prevent the spread of coronavirus,” Ongtioco said.
Parishioners who are at higher risk from Covid-19 are encouraged to stay home.
Many dioceses also opened opportunities for bringing Holy Communion to homes.
Cubao bishop, priests undergo coronavirus tests
TO ensure that they are fit to perform church duties, Ongtioco and his priests were tested for coronavirus this past week as parishes prepare to resume public religious services.
The bishop said the rapid testing included all the staff at his residence and some employees of the diocese’s chancery office.
“All [test] results of our priests and staff in my residence plus some in the chancery are negative,” Ongtioco said.
“This is to ensure that we are fit to serve our people and [that we] also [ensure] their safety and health,” he added.
Bishop Ongtioco said they are also asking clearance from the Quezon City government before they resume public Masses last Saturday.
“This morning our Vicar General had a meeting with Mayor Joy [Belmonte] to get clearance in order to resume our
public Masses following government protocol,” he said.
Last June 22, Bishop Dennis Villarojo of Malolos and his clergy also underwent mandatory rapid tests for coronavirus and all of them tested negative.
Pasig Churches reopen on Saturday
“WITH great joy, I am happy to announce to you that we will reopen our Churches beginning July 11, Saturday, Memorial of St. Benedict, for the public celebration of the sacraments and sacramentals,” Pasig Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara said in a recent statement.
He, however, added that the Churches will accept the parishioners at 10 percent seating capacity, in compliance with the protocols set by the IATF-EID.
“We rejoice that we are now allowed under the [GCQ ] to hold religious gatherings at 10 percent seating capacity of our Churches and places of worship,” he added.
At the same time, Vergara reminded the faithful that the Covid-19 is very much around, the reason why the diocese is ready to implement proper health and safety standards needed in attending religious gatherings.
“Those below 21 years old and 60 years old and above, those with immunodeficiency, comorbidities, or other health risks, and pregnant women are still required to remain in their residence at all times according to the regulations under GCQ. That means they cannot come to church to attend the Mass; instead, they can join the live stream celebration of Mass in their homes with different media platforms. We will post the scheduled only Masses in our Diocesan Facebook Page,” he added.
He said Masses after 2 p.m. on Saturday using Sunday liturgy can be considered “Anticipated ” Sunday Mass.
“The dispensation from the Sunday obligation will still be temporality maintained during this time while the vaccine is not yet available and the threat of the virus is still widespread. This is also to ensure that those impeded because of the regulations under GCQ and those who prefer to exercise extreme caution will not feel obligated to attend,” Vergara added.
Manila Cathedral to reopen by middle of July
MEANWHILE, Fr. Reginald Malicdem, chancellor of Archdiocese of Manila, said the reopening of the Minor
Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, or the Manila Cathedral, could be by the middle of this month.
“Maybe middle of July. Our official announcement will be made through our Facebook page,” Malicdem said.
More Churches in provinces reopen under MGCQ
MORE Churches in provinces are reopening after the areas have been declared under the MGCQ.
The dioceses of Balanga and Tagbilaran have announced that church activities, such as the holding of Eucharistic celebrations, or Masses, are now allowed in the Churches under them.
“Opening now our Church with its 50 percent of total capacity is a welcome relief, much-needed comfort to our people who are very much thirsting and hungry for Jesus,” said Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos in a pastoral directive on Thursday.
He, however, said the faithful must not be complacent amid the easing of quarantine rules.
“There is no rejoicing, no valedictory speech nor victory walk. Covid-19 is still there. And so, we should not let our guard down. We have still to be vigilant. We have to still take the necessary precautions and observe preventive measures,” he said.
He assured that safety precautions are in place in all Churches to ensure the safety of the churchgoers.
“As we open our Church, let us not forget what they [government and health officials] always tell us— ‘physical, social distancing and wearing face masks,” Santos added.
Meanwhile, Tagbilaran Bishop Alberto Uy said Churches in the diocese are now allowed to hold weddings and baptisms at a limited capacity.
“With our MGCQ status, religious gatherings, weddings, baptisms are now allowed at 50 percent capacity of the venue,” he said in a statement.
He also reminded the faithful to continue to be cautious.
“Let us continue to observe safety protocols so as to protect one another. We are not yet victorious over Covid-19. now is not the time to be complacent. Padayon sa pag-amping ug sa pag-ampo [Continue to be careful and to pray]. God bless you all,” he said.
Earlier, the Diocese of Tarlac announced that Churches under it have resumed public Masses starting July 1.
The province is also now under MGCQ.
Zambo archdiocese resumes Masses
THE Archdiocese of Zamboanga resumed last Wednesday the holding of masses as this city shifted to MGCQ from GCQ.
Fr. Marciano Villagracia, Archdiocese of Zamboanga spokesman, said that strict health protocols, including 50 percent church capacity, are being observed in all Churches while holding mass.
Villagracia said the health protocols include the strict compliance with the entrance and exit guides; no face mask, no entry; check of body temperature before entry; safe physical distancing; use of foot bath; hand sanitation; communion by hand; and no touching and kissing of sacred images.
“God is so good that He allows His people once again to come to worship Him in His church,” Villagracia added.
Quiapo Church reopens after 14-day quarantine
THE Minor Basilica of the Black nazarene, also known as the Quiapo Church, reopened to devotees on July 3 after a 14-day lockdown.
Fr. Douglas Badong, parochial vicar, said they started accepting the faithful on July 3, the first Friday of the month, after completing the mandatory quarantine.
Badong noted that the 14th day of their quarantine was on July 4 but they sought permission from the Manila city government for them to reopen on Friday, Quiapo Day, which was approved.
However, he said the 10-personsper-mass policy was implemented.
Badong also reported that results of their rapid testing for Covid-19 turned out negative. “Our tests are negative. We also complied with the 14-day quarantine,” he said.
Quiapo officials implemented a lockdown on June 19 after a priest who stayed in the church had tested positive for the virus upon returning to Mindanao.
The Quiapo Church has five masses scheduled at 5 a.m., 6 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 3 p.m., and 4 p.m. daily.