MANILA (UCAN): All dioceses in Manila and the Philippines’ National Capital Region suspended in-person Masses after the government reinstituted enhanced community quarantine [ECQ]—the strictest lockdown that prohibits religious gatherings—to run from August 6 to 20. The president, Rodrigo Duterte, approved the lockdown on July 30 following the recommendation of health experts in the face of surging Covid-19 coronavirus [SARS-CoV-2] infections and concerns over the more transmissible Delta variant.
“It was a painful decision because it’s difficult to be under an ECQ, but we have to do it to prevent a shortage of ICU [intensive care unit] beds and other hospital requirements. This would happen if the number of cases balloons because of the Delta variant,” presidential spokesperson, Harry Roque, told the press on July 30.
“In the end, everybody thought that this difficult decision had to be made to save more lives,” Roque said.
The return of ECQ has drawn criticism of the government’s handling of the pandemic.
“We keep on repeating the process. The solution is not in the lockdowns but in the vaccines and the rate they are jabbed among the people. Let’s not politicise the [administration] of vaccines,” Diogenes Serrano said.
The dioceses of Kalookan, Cubao, Parañaque and Novaliches announced the cancellation of public worship from July 31.
‘Here we go again … Under ECQ rules, only virtual religious gatherings shall be allowed. Gatherings for necrological services, wakes, inurement, funerals for those who died of causes other than Covid-19 shall be allowed provided that the same shall be limited to immediate family members only’
Bishop Pablo David
“My dear faithful in the Diocese of Cubao, with the Delta variant threatening a surge of Covid-19 infection in the country, the Diocese of Cubao is declaring a suspension of public worship form July 31 to August 20,” wrote Bishop Honesto Ongtioco in an announcement on July 30.
“We encourage the faithful to stay at home and stay safe. I’m asking parishes to make their worship available online,” Bishop Ongtioco added.
Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan, the president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines wrote on Facebook: “Here we go again … Under ECQ rules, only virtual religious gatherings shall be allowed. Gatherings for necrological services, wakes, inurement, funerals for those who died of causes other than Covid-19 shall be allowed provided that the same shall be limited to immediate family members only.”
The Diocese of Parañaque also announced on July 30 that all Masses, including religious celebrations in small communities, were cancelled.
“We encourage everyone to participate in the livestream Masses and to have a prayerful quarantine,” the diocese announced on its Facebook page.
In Parañaque, the diocese allowed funeral and wake Masses, but strictly following the health protocols, CBCPNews reported.
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Bishop Jesse Mercado said that churches may also be left open for personal prayer while ensuring that minimum health standards are complied with.
“We continue to storm heaven with our prayers especially in this uncertain situation of our time,” Bishop Mercado said,
“May our prudent and faithful observance of our protocols ensure the safety of our family and country,” he said.
