Coronavirus: Manila
Archdiocese braces for ‘worst case’ scenario
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| Filipino Catholics with mask against the coronavirus in fection at an Ash Wednesday service in Manila, February 26, 2020 (AFP) |
Bishop Broderick Pabillo, the Apostolic Administrator of
Manila, issued a pastoral letter instructing parishes, institutions and the
faithful to take measures against the coronavirus, officially known as
Covid-19.
By Robin Gomes
One of the largest dioceses in the Philippines could
possibly stop ‘public gatherings’ in its parishes if the coronavirus situation
in the country worsens.
Bishop Broderick Pabillo, the Apostolic Administrator of
Manila Archdiocese, did not specify which gatherings would be affected but
urged parishes “to be prepared for any eventuality”.
In the spirit of charity
“Worst case scenario would be the suspension of public
gatherings,” Bishop Pabillo said in a pastoral letter issued March 9. The
bishop, however, exhorted the public to stop spreading unnecessary panic and
fear.
“Let our attitude be compassion and care for others. Thus we
need to take precautionary measures in the spirit of charity for all,” he said.
Safety measures
The bishop’s pastoral letter goes into details pointing to
12 safety measures in dealing with the contagion.
He has called for temporarily emptying out holy water fonts
in churches and not holding hands when praying the Lord’s Prayer and when
giving the sign of peace at Masses. Disinfectants are to be made available
in all Church institutions.
The bishop urged faithful with flu-like symptoms to stay
home and seek medical attention, saying it “is an act of charity that we can
offer to the people”. He urged special care for the weak and vulnerable,
remembering the words of Jesus: “I was sick and you take care of me.”
Those staying at home “can sanctify the Lord’s Day by
praying in their homes and reading the Scriptures,” Bishop Pabillo said,
advising them to follow Masses streamed live on the Quiapo Church Facebook and
website as well as on TV Maria. Radio Veritas also airs Masses regularly
and other parishes have their own video streaming facilities.
“Until the virus is overcome all should refrain from the
kissing and holding of statues and sacred images, and even the glass frames
that protect them. Let barriers be installed so that people do not get near
them to touch them.”
President Rodrigo Duterte has already declared a state of
public health emergency as cases of coronavirus in the Philippines jumped to 33
as of Tuesday.
Despite concerns about the spread of the coronavirus, the
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) did not consider it
necessary to suspend public asses.
The cancellation of public Masses was among the measures
taken in Hong Kong, Singapore, Italy and in some dioceses in Japan to stem the
spread of the virus.
Economic fallout
Bishop Pabillo also called on the archdiocese’s more than 80
parishes to brace for the “economic effects” of the health crisis.
“We need to save at this time of impending crisis. Let us
make our church institutions resilient,” he stressed. “What we can save, let us
put in a Disaster Resiliency Fund.”
“In this way, in case we have no collections,” he said, “we
may sustain the salaries of our employees maintain our religious institutions.”
Intensifying prayers
Bishop Pabillo stressed that prayer must accompany every
precautionary measure. “We encourage all to intensify our prayers to ask
for Divine protection and intervention. Faith can avert evil,” he said.
The Philippine Catholic Church has earlier announced the
“oratio imperata” (obligatory prayer) initiative for people affected by the
virus and to prevent a global epidemic.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)
has already issued two guidelines regarding measures to contain the
infection.
In January, the CBCP suggested that communion in the hand
“be practised ordinarily” and discouraged the faithful from holding hands when
praying the “Our Father” during Mass.
In a liturgical guideline ahead of Lent, the bishops
suggested that on Ash Wednesday, ashes be sprinkled on the head instead of
marking the forehead with a cross and to “refrain” from kissing or touching the
cross for veneration on Good Friday.
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