Manila allows more church goers

The Catholic Church has been batting for an increase in the number of permitted churchgoers, prompting the holding of more Masses to accommodate more worshippers

The City of Manila has approved the request by leaders of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines to allow the faithful to fill up as much as 30 percent of a place of worship’s capacity.

Since religious gatherings were allowed in the National Capital Region when it transitioned to general community quarantine, the Inter-Agency Task Force has only allowed 10 percent of a venue’s capacity to be occupied.

Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso signed an executive order providing for the increase in seating capacity at all religious gatherings in the city, such as in churches, chapels and mosques.

The order came following a recent meeting between the mayor and Quiapo Church officials.

The Catholic Church has been batting for an increase in the number of permitted churchgoers, prompting the holding of more Masses to accommodate more worshippers.

Executive Order (EO) 41 also requires persons under 18 and over 65 to comply with the stay-at-home directive of the IATF unless they belong to the Authorized Persons Outside of Residence (APOR) category.

The mayor said religious leaders must ensure that attendees at gatherings shall, at all times, strictly observe the minimum public health standards and protocols set by the government.

In issuing EO 41, the mayor said there is a need for the city to address the spiritual needs of its constituents.

“The city recognizes its avowed duty to promote not only the social and economic well-being of its constituents but also, and more importantly, their spiritual well-being,” he added.

On the other hand, the mayor clarified this set up will be good only until the prevailing situation regarding the coronavirus persists. When the situation changes and returns to the “old” normal, the order will be automatically voided.