Prelates welcome anew 10% capacity in Masses under GCQ
Catholic prelates welcomed the government’s decision to allow again 10-percent capacity in religious gatherings in areas under the general community quarantine (GCQ) amid the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Manila Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo said they will follow the requirements set by the government in opening religious activities including public Masses to the faithful.
“Thank God and they [Interagency Task Force officials] allow [the 10-percent seating capacity] again. We are happy and we will comply with the requirements,” he said in a text message.
Meanwhile, Cubao Bishop
Honesto Ongtioco said “it is a welcome blessing.”
“Some parishioners have been asking about the number of people who can attend our Masses. We see our services as essential since our people need some support system when we talk of stress, psychological needs, or support,” he said.
Prior to the easing of restrictions in religious gatherings, only 10 people are allowed to attend Eucharistic Celebration in Churches under GCQ.
On Tuesday, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said religious gatherings can resume in GCQ areas, including Metro Manila, but will be limited to 10 percent of the Church’s seating capacity.
Besides the National Capital Region, the provinces of Bulacan and Batangas, and the cities of Tacloban and Bacolod would still be under GCQ until September 30.
Iligan City in Lanao del Norte was placed under modified enhanced community quarantine while the rest of the country was put under modified GCQ.
The measure came as many Filipinos look forward to Christmas as early as September, as the Philippines is known as among countries around the world that have the longest celebration of the season.
‘Keep faith amid pandemic’
MEANWHILE, Daet Bishop Rex Andrew Alarcon on Saturday urged Filipinos to keep the faith and believe that God would see them through Covid-19 pandemic.
“What we are in right now makes us realize our limitations and these are many. It also shows us that if we are alone, we will not be able to handle it,” Alarcon said in an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas.
“There are many challenges. We need to help each other and believe because God has given us the capacity to face adversities and even in difficult times, you can make a difference,” he added.
Alarcon, chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Youth of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, said the crisis being faced by the country, as well as the world, has triggered mental health problems, which at times end up in attempts to end one’s life.
Because of the limitations brought about by the pandemic, he said, many people suffer from depression, sadness and being alone, owing to the absence of interaction with colleagues and friends.
Alarcon noted the importance of looking after one’s mental health by taking care of the body, through the intake of nutritious food, and satisfying the heart, by adopting a positive perspective and disposition in life.
“What we are eating, what we are putting inside our bodies, should be the same with what we put in our hearts and minds. What do we keep in our mind[s]? Anger, pity, worries. So they should have much more positive thoughts and nurture a healthy disposition, what we also called a healthy realism. While we still have hope and faith, we are also realistic that what situation we are in right now will not change overnight,” Alarcon added.
Since the onset of the community quarantine in March due to the pandemic, the National Center for Mental Health has been receiving 300 to 400 phone calls per month from people experiencing different mental health problems.