TACLOBAN CITY –– Borongan Bishop Crispin Varquez has suspended all public Masses in the diocese to help stop the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
In his circular issued on Friday, Varquez said there would be no Eucharistic celebration starting March 21 until further notice.
“To contribute to the prevention of large gatherings, and to limit the mobility of our people and the possibility of viral transmission, I hereby decree that all public Masses and public liturgical celebrations in all our parishes and ecclesial communities are to be suspended indefinitely,” he said.
Varquez, however, stressed that there would still be Masses in churches within the diocese but the mode of ‘Missae sine populo’ or masses without the people.
“These Masses are to be celebrated according to the relevant liturgical rubrics and hygienic precautions,” the prelate said.
Bishop Varquez asked all the priests in the diocese to explain to the faithful why Church leaders opted to suspend all public Masses.
“They are to remind the faithful that they can take part in the liturgical celebrations through other various means like TV, radio, or online broadcasts in Facebook, and YouTube, as masses will continue to be offered for the intention of the faithful, and especially for our immediate deliverance from this pandemic,” Varquez said.
“In this time of uncertainties and anxieties, let us continue to instill among our people a prayerful atmosphere. Let us implore the Lord for deliverance from this pandemic,” he added.
Varquez also directed the cancelation of Church-related activities within the diocese, like the public celebration of Holy Week, seminarians’ annual excursion, and other diocesan and regional meetings, among others.