Diocese of Legazpi limits church activities amid surge of COVID-19 cases

LIGAO CITY — Bishop Joel Baylon of the Diocese of Legazpi has issued a letter to clergy, religious and parishioners emphasizing the guidelines on church activities in connection with the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the province.

In his Diocesan Circular No. 2, Series of 2022, issued on Wednesday in line with the national Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) protocols and the recommendations of the Board of Consultors and the Diocesan COVID-19 Committee, all parishes in Albay province must follow the 30 percent church capacity and shall also observe minimal church activities.

He said children below 12 years old are not yet permitted inside the church.

“Hence, there will be no celebration of First Communion for now,” he said.

Wake Masses at homes and funeral parlors are also not allowed. Priests, instead, can administer a blessing or short prayer for the dead, Baylon said.

There will be no mass confirmations and weddings until May 15.

He said masses in malls and offices are allowed if the place is an open space or the event is outdoor.

The Saturday Eucharist of the Neo-Catechumenal Communities is also discouraged in the meantime.

He said regular confession and anointing of the sick and the dying could not be made in person, but as an alternative, priests and relatives of the sick can pray the Prayer for the Sick.

Other youth activities and in-person meetings in a huge crowd are highly discouraged to prevent the possible spread and infection of the virus.

“Let’s strictly observe and remind our parishioners of the health protocols such as wearing of face masks at all times (including weddings and funerals), temperature checking before the entrance to the church, hand sanitizing, and physical distancing,” Baylon stressed.

He also asks the faithful to continue fervently praying the Oratio Imperata against COVID-19.

As of January 18, Albay has recorded a total of 7,255 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic started in 2020. The province also recorded 6009 recoveries and 428 deaths.