MANILA (UCAN): The Diocese of Naval, in Bilaran province, the Philippines, announced on February 11, the World Day of the Sick, that it had set up a ministry specifically to address physical and psychological problems brought about by the Covid-19 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic.
Bishop Rex Ramirez of Naval, who also heads the bishops’ Commission on Healthcare, said in an interview with Veritas radio that it was the perfect occasion to launch the project.
He said he asked the people in his diocese to work with government health offices to help the project along.
‘Our diocese will collaborate with public health agencies in various programmes wherein the sick would be given not only physical assistance but also spiritual accompaniment’
Bishop Rex Ramirez
“Our diocese will collaborate with public health agencies in various programmes wherein the sick would be given not only physical assistance but also spiritual accompaniment,” Bishop Ramirez said.
The bishop said he formed groups that would facilitate online consultations with medical practitioners. Others were tasked with counselling those experiencing depression and other psychological ailments. One group was also charged with feeding street children.
Bishop Ramirez said some efforts were not new to the diocese, but they are now more organised and more people have joined the diocese’s mission.
“The feeding programme is not new. This is being done at parish level. But now we have centralised it through our new diocese social action programme,” Bishop Ramirez said.
The centralisation of projects had brought direct supervision from the diocese that allows better planning and organisation.
“Now, there will be oversight from the diocese, so this is the beginning of our healthcare ministry,” the bishop said.
The diocese also encouraged people to join its programme for the elderly who have been stuck in their homes for months since community lockdowns began.
“I hope many parishioners will respond to the call to join this ministry for the sick and the elderly, a call made by Pope Francis himself,” he said.
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
https://www.Facebook.com/CFM-Gifted-to-give-101039001847033
The pope designated every fourth Sunday of July the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly on January 31 (Sunday Examiner, February 7).
