ILOILO City – Assuring the Ilonggos that “God will never abandon us”, Archbishop Jose Romeo Lazo of Jaro suspended masses and Holy Week activities in a drastic move to help stop to possible entry and spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in his archdiocese which covers the provinces of Iloilo and Guimaras.
“As a people of God, our primary and basic response to this pandemic is no other than prayer,” according to Lazo, but he also stressed, “We are facing a crisis.”
The COVID- 19 pandemic “presents an evolving scenario, one that is not static or easily predictable,” Lazo stressed in a four-page guideline he released to his flock in one of the largest archdioceses in the country.
Thus, he said, “together with the expertise of our health professionals and government efforts, we respond to the pandemic in faith which we express in prayer and action both personal and communal.”
Available data (2015) showed the Archdiocese of Jaro’s jurisdiction having a Catholic population of 2,641,965.
Masses
Effective March 19, the Archbishop was dispensing the faithful “from their Sunday obligation to participate in the Holy Eucharist (mass)” and masses on weekdays (Monday to Saturday) until further notice.
However, he encouraged them “participate in the Eucharistic celebration” through social media, the internet, television and radio.
“In some cases of peculiarities in the Christian community, the parish priest may make a pastoral judgment but always in consultation with the Archbishop,” stressed Lazo.
He also ordered the rescheduling of town and barangay fiesta masses “until further notice.”
Regarding weddings, the “Holy Matrimony is encouraged to be rescheduled.”
If the wedding could not be postponed, attendance in the mass “should be limited only to a small group” that should strictly following the protocols issued by the Department of Health (DOH) and local government unit (LGU) concerned.
In funeral masses, on the other hand, attendance “should be limited within family members.”
“If possible, celebrate the mass at home.”
For priests, however, Lazo directed them to “celebrate mass in their private capacity and offer this for the intention of the cessation of the spread of the virus, for the sick and the safety of our health workers.”
Holy Week
(April 5-11)
* All public celebrations are cancelled.
* The Holy Thursday Visita iglesia is cancelled.
* Public celebration of Paschal Triduum is cancelled.
All these Lent celebrations will be broadcasted online, according to Lazo.
On the matter of confession, “any faithful who is extremely in need” of it may approach any priest who should ensure that proper precautionary measures are observed.
As to baptisms/confirmations, these should proceed only in emergency cases, otherwise, these should be rescheduled.
For the “celebration of the anointing of the sick”, Lazo urged priests to “respond generously and with urgency to the spiritual needs of the sick and the dying” but they must exercise caution by observing DOH protocols.
Personal Guidelines
The archbishop also issued what he termed as “personal guidelines” to further keep people safe. These are the following:
* Always clean and disinfect surroundings.
* Observe proper hygiene, coughing and sneezing etiquette.
* Eat healthy.
* Observe social distancing.
* Refrain contact with individuals displaying symptoms of the illness.
* Stay at home and seek medical attention when exhibiting symptoms such as fever, cough, difficulty of breathing and diarrhea.
Lazo invoked a passage in the Bible, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no evil to the neighbor.” (Romans 13, 9-10)
For those who are sick: praying, reading the Bible and participating in the celebration of the mass over the radio, internet or television is encouraged.
For the parishes, Lazo ordered a routine disinfection of pews and other furniture, doorknobs and other frequently-touched objects, even microphone covers, electric fans and air-conditioning units.
Prayer
But more than anything else, stressed the Archbishop, the faithful must not cease praying.
“Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth,” he quoted Psalm 124, 8.
As a people of God, “We ask the Lord for His divine assistance to guide and protect us. This moment of crisis is a moment to strengthen our faith. Prayer casts away all fears.”
He exhorted the faithful to pray the following daily: the Holy Rosary, Litany of the Saints, devotion to San Roque, “the powerful saint implored during times of plagues”; and the Oratio Imperata against COVID-19.
Also, “Observe forms of Lenten penance such as fasting, abstinence and almsgiving. The fruit of penance is a way to God’s mercy,” according to the archbishop./PN
