MANILA (UCAN): “Since Covid-19 case numbers in our province are still alarming, I deemed it prudent to implement the closure of all the Catholic cemeteries in the diocese from October 30 until November3, except of course for burials,” Bishop Joel Baylon of Legaspi, told Radyo Veritas on October 13.
The diocese, located in the Bicol region in southern Luzon, the Philippines, announced that all its cemeteries would be closed on All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day [Undas] for the second year in a row. The news follows a week after similar announcement by the Diocese of Manila.
The decision was made after consultations with health officials and clergymen in his diocese.
“[It] … was difficult because many parishioners like to visit the graves of their loved ones. But we need to balance our faith with the reality this pandemic brings,” Bishop Baylon said.
The diocese said it has asked local authorities to post policemen at cemetery gates from October 30 to November 3.
The bishop said that this year, he took the unilateral decision to close cemeteries in his jurisdiction.
As of October 13, there were 44,097 active Covid-19 cases in the Bicol region. The death toll stood at 693 deaths, according to the latest government figures.
Despite stricter containment measures imposed by authorities, the virus has continued to spread.
CBCPNews reported that Bishop Baylon asked people to instead visit their departed loved ones on different dates.
‘I highly advise that visits must not be done in groups to avoid congregating in the cemeteries,’ he said. The bishop also reminded priests that Masses and other pastoral services are not allowed in the cemetery ‘during these critical times’
Bishop Baylon
“I highly advise that visits must not be done in groups to avoid congregating in the cemeteries,” he said. The bishop also reminded priests that Masses and other pastoral services are not allowed in the cemetery “during these critical times.”
“All Masses are to be celebrated in the churches,” Bishop Baylon stressed, adding that parishes may reproduce the Novena Prayer for the Dead and make it available to their parishioners.
Millions of Filipinos usually visit the graves of their loved ones during the annual celebration of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day from November 1 to 2 to show respect to departed family members and friends.
Activities usually begin a week earlier when families clean and paint graves for their visit. Families also pray novenas and bring food to the cemetery as part of a tradition honouring the dead.
Last year, cemeteries and columbaria were declared off limits throughout entire country by the national government.
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Bishop Baylon also urged people not to visit cemeteries at all if possible to avoid mass transmission of the virus.
“We will have online Masses for our dearly departed. We will also broadcast these Masses via our radio and local TV networks. So, let’s use technology for the moment because we should not take the virus lightly,” the bishop said.
The Archdiocese of Manila said the decision to close Catholic cemeteries in the capital came from city’s mayor, Isko Moreno, who ordered closure of all cemeteries—including Muslim ones, on October 6.
“There is a compelling need to avoid an influx of people in memorial parks, cemeteries and [columbaria] immediately before, during and immediately after All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day celebrations,” the order read.
