As COVID-19 removes Mass in churches, Leyte faithful told ‘Church not abandoning her children’

TACLOBAN CITY—While no Mass would be celebrated in churches to prevent large gatherings of people and the transmission of COVID-19, a ranking Church leader in Eastern Visayas said the Church will always be with the people.

“My dear people of God, the Church is not abandoning her children on these trying moments,” said Palo, Leyte Archbishop John Du.

“We continuously seek the mercy and compassion of God and the maternal protection of our Lady,” he said in a pastoral letter released last March 18.

“Let these words of the Lord be our source of strength and courage…’I do will it, be cured,” his letter said.

“This is a very difficult decision on our part,” Du said of the Church’s decision to stop celebrating Mass and other religious ceremonies in churches to heed quarantine protocols.

“However, as pastors it is also our solemn moral obligation to abide by the advisories of competent authorities in the name of common good and public safety,’ he added.

The government, as part of its measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19, has prohibited mass gatherings.

Du said he directed all priests in the archdiocese to celebrate Mass without the congregation” every day.”

“People can hear Mass through live streaming,” Du said.

“In times of crisis and calamities leading to physical impossibility, we can resort to some other prudent means,” he added.

Edited by TSB