The glass-encased pilgrim image of the Sto Niño de Cebu visited the Redemptorist Church in this 2015 photo. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
CEBU CITY—Priests of the Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish, popularly known as the Redemptorist Church in this city, decided to lock down the entire church compound starting July 30 until further notice.
Fr. Nono Reteracion, spokesperson of the Redemptorist Church, said at least two of their lay staff members tested positive for COVID-19, prompting parish officials to suspend all Masses and other church services.
“We decided to voluntarily lock down the church compound so it will be easier for city health officers to contact-trace. If we do not close the compound, many people will come and might be exposed to the virus,” he told the Inquirer over the phone.
Last Monday, Reteracion said a staff member of the church had a slight cough.
He said the priests advised the church worker to undergo a swab test.
Another staff member close to the first worker was also tested.
On Wednesday, results of the swab test came out and showed that the two staff members had contracted the virus.
Reteracion said the two workers were immediately transferred to the government’s isolation center.
City health officers came to the Redemptorist Church Friday to conduct swab testing and contact tracing.
In a Facebook post, the Redemptorist Church assured churchgoers that Mass intentions offered by its parishioners would be mentioned in their private Masses.
Reteracion said Masses would not be shown online since lay workers assigned to do the livestreaming of the Eucharistic celebrations were also advised not to go to the church.
He appealed to the people to continue praying so that the spread of the virus would stop, not only in the church but also in the whole world.
“People don’t have to worry. We (seven priests at the Redemptorist Church) are okay. Please pray for us, Redemptorist priests, brothers, and lay staff members in this time of difficulty,” Reteracion said.
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