ILOILO City – Churches under the Archdiocese of Jaro will be “gradually opening the Sacred Celebrations to the public.” Archbishop Jose Romeo Lazo urged the faithful to “continue the effort to responsibly participate in this transition period.”
“Though the pandemic is not yet totally over, we have gained ground through our collective and conscious effort to take part in this cause which God has generously blessed with inspiration and strength,” stated Lazo in a circular issued late night on May 18.
Churches under the Archdiocese of Jaro suspended Masses beginning March 19 when the city and province of Iloilo started observing community quarantine. The archdiocese then encouraged people to better stay at home and watch Masses on television or those being streamed live in the internet.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on May 16 set guidelines when parishes would be allowed to hold religious services with people in attendance.
“When the time comes and we are able to gather and celebrate the Eucharist, we will approach this next phase, in the context of the pandemic, with prudence, patience and loving and charitable mindset,” said Archbishop Romulo Valles, CBCP President.
The guidelines included strict new measures on social distancing, use of facemasks by worshippers, and installation of foot baths.
“We want to exercise prudence as shepherds of souls in gradually opening the Sacred Celebrations to the public. Thus we exhort everyone to continue the effort to responsibly participate in this transition period by studying and observing the guidelines given,” according to Jaro Archbishop Lazo.
He gave parish priests the discretion to prepare their churches and their ministers, and to decide for the gradual reopening of churches and resumption of public liturgical celebrations.
Mayor Jerry Treñas announced last week he was already allowing worship services. The city started transitioning from enhanced community quarantine to general community quarantine on May 16.
According to Father Angelo Colada, director of the Archdiocese of Jaro’s Social Communications, markers would be placed on churches as guides for worshippers to observe social distancing.
There would also be hand-washing facilities, and churches would be disinfected regularly.
Also being mulled, among others, were entry and exit plans to avoid congestion when people get in and out of churches.
Treñas had said places of worship could reopen to the public but they should only accommodate 50 percent of their usual capacity.
“Time na nga makabalik kita sa simbahan,” said Treñas.
GUIDELINES
According to the CBCP, physical distancing will be among the “new normal” when public Masses.
An easing of restrictions on May 16 saw malls, small shops and other businesses operate again. Some parish churches in the provinces also opened its doors anew adhering strictly to safety protocols.
The CBCP also suggested that the faithful continue to receive communion in the hand and no holding hands when reciting the “Our Father” during Mass.
But church officials discouraged priests from wearing face masks or gloves during the celebration of the Eucharist.
“Instead, he should remain more than one meter from the congregation during the Mass. In such circumstances, there is no substantial risk of infection,” the CBCP guidelines stated.
The liturgical guidelines also pushed the reduction of choir members who will sing during the Mass in order to keep physical distancing.
“It may even be advisable to have only a cantor who will lead the assembly in the singing,” CBCP ‘sValles said.
During the offertory, instead of passing baskets from person to person in each of the pews, there can be designated boxes or collection points where the faithful can place their contributions.
The episcopal conference also suggested that the elderly, children and the sick be dispensed from the obligation to attend Mass while the threat of the virus is still widespread.
And since many of the lay ministers of communion are elderly and vulnerable to the infection, parishes are urged to train younger Eucharistic ministers.
“Parishes should also distribute Holy Communion outside of the Mass for the sick and those who are taking serious caution not to be contaminated by the virus and therefore avoid gatherings of people even in Church,” Valles said./PN
