Pews at the St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral in Tagbilaran City are empty following the announcement of the two dioceses in Bohol to suspend all Masses at churches starting today, Wednesday, March 18, 2020 as a preventive measure against the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). (Leo Udtohan/Inquirer Visayas)
MANILA, Philippines — The public celebration of Masses in churches will most likely resume once the enhanced community quarantine ends, an official of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said.
“If quarantine protocols are lifted and the social and physical distancing as well, then most probably public celebration of liturgies will resume in churches,” said Fr. Jerome Secillano, Executive Secretary of the CBCP’s Permanent Committee on Public Affairs.
“The only reason for the online celebration of Masses is the church’s compliance with health protocols,” he added.
As the government imposed enhanced community quarantine, Christian churches across the country are also holding online Masses and services in a bid to contain the rapid spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).