The Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines backed calls to allow more people to attend the public celebrations of the Holy Mass as quarantine measures in the national capital eased.
Franciscan priest Angel Cortez, executive secretary of the association of religious orders, said the Church has become a refuge and inspiration of the people amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The priest said the government should reconsider its decision to limit to ten people the attendance in the celebration of religious activities, including the Holy Mass.
“With the number of people now who need to hold on to something and who want to deepen their faith, they have nowhere to go but the church,” said Father Cortez in a radio interview over Veritas 846.
The priest expressed support for the call of Bishop Broderick Pabillo of Manila to increase the number of people who can attend religious services.
“If [authorities] allow business enterprises to have a bigger capacity, they should also give the same to the church,” said Bishop Pabillo, apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Manila.
On Sunday, August 23, Bishop Pabillo appealed anew to the government to allow more people to attend religious services instead of limiting it to ten people.
He said religious services are “essential” during the pandemic as this would help lessen the anxiety of people.
“If they want us to be able to help, there is a need to open our churches to those who want to seek guidance from the Church by being able to go to Masses,” said the prelate.
“Give us the capacity to help the people. We can help if only they will allow people to go inside churches. Aside from physical needs, the people also have mental and spiritual needs,” he added.
Suicide cases up due to pandemic
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra asked the Catholic Church and other religious groups to help address the reported increase in suicide cases in the country.
In a statement on Saturday, August 22, Gueverra said that by providing counseling and guidance to those suffering from depression and anxiety brought about by the pandemic.
Bishop Pablo David of Kalookan, acting president of the Catholic bishops’ conference, said the Church is aware of the increase in suicide rates.
He said it is one of the reasons why in his diocese they are organizing “health care volunteers” to partner with the local government in doing online monitoring of people affected by the pandemic.
The prelate said that even before the pandemic began, the Church aready put up a ministry to provide counseling to people who are dealing with mental health issues.
“If it was already bad before the pandemic, I imagine how much worse it must be now,” he said.
“People are suffering from all kinds of anxiety and depression due to loss of job, losses in business, loss of loved ones, loss of security and peace of mind,” said Bishop David
He agreed with Bishop Pabillo in pointing out that more people should be allowed to attend religious services as most of churches are many times bigger and better ventilated than most restaurants and grocery stores.
“I understand the risks involved when people congregate in public places,” he said, adding that in places like Quiapo, “they don’t even expect to be allowed to attend Mass.”
“They only ask to be allowed to spend a few moments inside the Church and pray. And our observation is they generally follow protocol when they enter the church,” said Bishop David.
AMRSP’s Father Cortez said it is “sad” that restaurants and malls are allowed to entertain more people than the churches, which have bigger spaces to ensure “social distancing.”
Palace appeals for cooperation
The presidential palace earlier appealed to the public to bear with the restrictions on mass gatherings, including religious services, in areas under “general community quarantine.”
Government spokesman Harry Roque said the policy is “not forever.” He said the restrictions on mass gatherings have been imposed in consultation with local government units.
“Our policy on religious gatherings is based on history and experience not only in the Philippines but also in other countries,” said Roque, President Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesman.
“It has been proven that there are many infectious during religious worship,” he said, adding that the faithful “can go online for now.”
Roque expressed hope that church leaders will cooperate with the latest restrictions, citing the decision of some dioceses to cancel Masses after the medical community pleaded for a two-week “time out” early this month.
“When the frontliners appealed for return to [the more strict ‘enhanced community quarantine,’ the Catholic Church was the first to prohibit gatherings,” noted Roque.
“In the same spirit to avoid the spread of [Covid-19], we ask for patience,” he said, adding that “this is not forever anyway.”
On August 19, the presidential palace announced the restriction on large gatherings, including religious services, saying only a gathering of ten people is allowed.
Bishop Pabillo of Manila, however, said the decision was “illogical” because restaurants and other business establishments are allowed to operate with bigger capacity.
“Have some patience. It’s just 10 days until August 31,” said Roque.
In July, the government allowed religious gatherings at ten percent of the venue’s capacity in areas under “general community quarantine.”
In areas under the more relaxed “modified general community quarantine,” mass gatherings such as movie screenings, concerts, sporting events, religious services, and work conferences, are allowed provided that participants shall be limited to 50 percent of the seating or venue capacity.
On Saturday, August 22, the Department of Health reported 4,933 new confirmed Covid-19 cases in the country, bringing the country’s total confirmed cases to 187,249.
It was the fifth consecutive day that the number of new cases reported by the Health department exceeded 4,000.
Active Covid-19 cases in the country have been pegged at 69,362 as of 4 p.m. on Saturday. The Health department recorded 26 more fatalities, bringing the country’s total reported death toll to 2,966.
Another 436 patients were reported to have recovered from the disease, bringing total recoveries to 114,921.
Most of the new confirmed cases reported on Saturday were from Metro Manila at 2,845.
