Masses may resume under the “new normal” condition but without the vulnerable elderly and youth and the sick, said the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
In addition to these restrictions, churches are also required to strictly observe mandatory wearing of masks and social distancing measures by marking spaced out seating on pews along with the installation of footbaths.
“When the time comes and we are able to gather and celebrate the Eucharist, we will approach this next phase, in the context of the pandemic, with prudence, patience and loving and charitable mindset,” said CBCP President Archbishop Romulo Valles.
In an interview with Inquirer, Archbishop Valles said the Holy Eucharist “is central and essential to the life of the Church and to the life of each individual believer.” But since the current situation cannot allow full resumption of regular masses, “a visit from a priest, a deacon or extraordinary minister of Holy Communion to bring them the Eucharist is highly recommended.”
Likewise, online streaming of masses is still encouraged by CBCP for the faithful who still can’t go out to be able to practice their religion.
[READ: The mass will be televised: Where to stream church service online amid COVID-19]Among the other safety precautions and restrictions to be set in place during liturgical celebrations post-COVID-19 suggested by CBCP include:
- Prohibiting holding hands when reciting the “Our Father”
- Reduction of choir members who will sing during the mass
- Installation of designated boxes or collection points where contributions can be placed instead of passing baskets from person to person during the offertory
- Training of younger eucharistic ministers to officiate communion in the place of elderly lay ministers
- Priests maintaining a minimum one-meter distance from the congregation during the mass
Along with easing lockdown measures on areas with few cases and the introduction of a new classification called modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in areas such as NCR and Laguna, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) emphasized restrictions still in place on mass gatherings, including religious activities.
According to the omnibus guidelines on the implementation of community quarantine released on Friday, religious gatherings in MECQ areas are highly restricted, with not more than five persons participating in any congregation related to religion.
Meanwhile, in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ), such activities are still not encouraged and will only be authorized by IATF-EID if the number of participants does not exceed 10.
Mass gatherings of all kinds are still prohibited in areas under enhanced community quarantine.
Header photo courtesy of Marianne Bermudez/Inquirer
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