Cebu Archdiocese: Open cemeteries for non-Catholic COVID-19 deaths

MANILA, Philippines — The Archdiocese of Cebu has ordered the opening of Catholic cemeteries to accept the burials of non-Catholics who succumbed to COVID-19, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said Thursday.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma issued the decision as cemeteries have reached full capacity due to an increase in coronavirus-related deaths in the province.

“I take it as an act of charity to allow their burial in our Roman Catholic cemeteries during these times of pandemic,” Palma said in a circular dated August 27.

“Sadly, some of these severe cases have led to the untimely deaths of our loved ones and consequently, affecting the availability of burial slots in our cemeteries,” Palma added.

The archbishop said “only time will tell” as to when the special permission would be repealed due to the “extreme” situation.

“In order to be pastorally guided by this mandate, I suggest that proper consultations be made first with our competent ecclesiastical authorities when there are other issues and unforeseen circumstances that may arise on this matter,” he noted.

Earlier, Palma approved the request of the Cebu City government to build more tombs in Catholic cemeteries to accommodate the remains of those who died of COVID-19 and other illnesses.

However, funeral homes and mortuaries in Cebu City remain full according to Councilor Joel Garganera, deputy chief implementer of the city’s Emergency Operations Center.

The number of COVID-related deaths in Cebu City alone as of the last week of August reached 226, a big jump from the number of fatalities recorded in June, at 14, and July, at 86, according to Garganera added.

As of Wednesday, Cebu City recorded 37,948 cases, including 3,997 active cases, 32,767 recoveries, and 1,184 deaths, according to the Department of Health (DOH)

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