Church takes measures vs coronavirus threat

MANILA, Philippines — The Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral of Cubao on Tuesday said it had decided to suspend some of its Lenten activities like “Senakulo,” recollection and barangay stations of the cross due to the threat of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

“The Parish Pastoral Council of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral of Cubao, in consideration of the safety of its parishioners and volunteers, has decided to cancel all barangay stations of the cross, the Senakulo, and the parish Lenten recollection (both at the Cathedral and at Robinsons Magnolia),” Fr. Dennis Soriano said in a post on Facebook.

The monthly formation “Mahal na Ina” and the weekly “Dasalmusal” will also have to be stopped for the meantime.

Soriano added that the dates of the Visita Iglesia and fundraising project for the Casa Silencio, the retirement home for priests, will also be moved to later dates.

“It is comforting to know how the Church values the overall well-being of the churchgoers,” said Eloisa Bautista, who attends Mass at the San Isidro Labrador Parish Church in Pasay City.

“These reminders are genuinely informative and valuable, and it is commendable how they have presented the reasoning behind each and every action they’re taking to do their part in preventing the spread of this dreadful virus,” Bautista added, referring to the pastoral letter issued by Archdiocese of Manila’s Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo.

Precautions

In his letter, Pabillo said containers of 70 percent ethyl alcohol must be stationed at the entrances of churches and other Catholic institutions.

He also advised parishioners to avoid kissing and holding sacred images.

Pabillo also asked churches to routinely disinfect their surroundings, as well as the pews, benches, door knobs and microphone covers.

“Churches and adoration chapels with air conditions and hardly any windows should be biomisted. Open windows and doors after mass and shut off the air conditioning in order for the air, heat and sunlight to circulate,” he said.

Another churchgoer, Christian Carlo Goli also commended the Church for observing precautions.

“I just hope that the Church will be strict in observing or implementing the measures and ensure that parishes and parishioners follow them,” said Goli, a resident of Mandaluyong City.

Bautista also lauded Pabillo’s advise to parishes to save money. “Let the parishes be prepared for the economic effects of the COVID-19 phenomenon. Worst case scenario would be the suspension of public gatherings. We need to save at this time of impending crisis,” Pabillo said in a pastoral letter.

He said expenses of parishes should only be on “what is essential in order to save for any eventualities.”

“In this way, in case we have no collections, we may sustain the salaries of our employees [who] maintain our religious institutions,” he explained. “Let us make our Church institutions resilient.”

“Let us not underestimate the power of prayer. Jesus is our ultimate Healer, let us continue to pray for one another and claim His healing,” Bautista added.