There will be no lavish and elaborate church weddings in the Archdiocese of Manila this year.
“We allow only simple weddings this year, with only the bride and the groom with one set of sponsors and the immediate family,” read an instruction issued by the archdiocese this week.
“No best man and bridesmaid for the meantime,” wrote Bishop Broderick Pabillo, apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Manila.
So in June, traditionally considered as the month for weddings, there will be no grand church celebrations with family and friends.
Even during baptisms, the number of people who can attend will be limited.
Only the parents and one set of godparents will be allowed per child for the baptism.
The same goes for funeral Masses.
“Only let the immediate family be allowed during funeral Masses in the church observing proper social distancing,” read the protocol issued by the archdiocese.
The archdiocese released the protocols to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease even after the “enhanced community quarantine” is lifted.
“These guidelines are given due to our extraordinary situation,” said the prelate, adding that it is “temporary in nature.”
“The situation is so fluid that we foresee that there will be other guidelines that will follow when the situation changes or when there are other directives that will come from the government or from the Church hierarchy,” said Bishop Pabillo.
