Catholic church leaders in the Philippines have appealed to authorities to allow the public celebration of the Holy Mass in areas under “general community quarantine.”
Father Jerome Secillano of the public affairs office of the bishops’ conference said they are coordinating with government officials to include religious activities as “essentials.”
“The [bishops’ conference] is negotiating with the task force against COVID-19 pandemic to reconsider the public celebration of sacraments,” he said.
Several dioceses in the country have issued a circular extending the suspension of public celebrations of Holy Masses and other religious activities until the end of the quarantine period.
Father Secillano assured that the country’s church leaders are supportive of the government’s quarantine measures.
“The Church has also the capability to implement quarantine measures and health guidelines to the faithful,” he said.
Since the onset of the pandemic, Catholic church leaders in the country issued guidelines to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus disease.
