MANILA, Philippines — There isn’t a want to vary security protocols for the commemoration of Ash Wednesday, the federal government mentioned yesterday because it waits for formal requests from spiritual teams to extend the allowed capability of locations of worship.
Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of the Lenten season, falls on Feb. 17.
Final 12 months, ashes have been sprinkled on devotees in compliance with the bodily distancing protocols designed to comprise the unfold of COVID-19.
Earlier than the pandemic, clergymen daubed ashes on the foreheads of worshippers to remind them to repent and imagine within the gospel of Jesus.
“The protocols we noticed beforehand, I feel will nonetheless stay,” Cupboard Secretary Karlo Nograles instructed state-run PTV-4.
“The inhabitants has not been absolutely vaccinated so the identical rule ought to apply this 12 months as in final 12 months,” he added.
Nograles, co-chair of the Inter-Company Activity Power for the Administration of Rising Infectious Ailments (IATF), mentioned the protocols should be mentioned with leaders of the Catholic Church.
“I’ve not obtained a request from the spiritual sector with regard to the rise in capability. I don’t know if there are members of the IATF who’ve obtained such a request,” Nograles mentioned.
Locations of worship typically group quarantine areas like Metro Manila can fill as much as 30 p.c of their capacities whereas these in essentially the most lenient modified common group quarantine are allowed to fill half of their capacities.
Nograles reminded the general public to watch security and well being protocols like frequent hand washing, bodily distancing and sporting of face masks in the course of the celebration of Valentine’s Day and the Chinese language New Yr.
“That is for everyone’s security. The rollout of the vaccines is occurring quickly… Within the meantime, allow us to comply with well being and security protocols,” Nograles mentioned.
World Day of the Sick
The Catholic Bishops’ Convention of the Philippines (CBCP) urged the sick trustworthy to remain at residence as it will maintain therapeutic prayers for immediately’s “World Day of the Sick.”
Bishop Oscar Florencio, vice chairman of the CBCP-episcopal fee on well being, mentioned everyone seems to be invited to attend the therapeutic mass, however those that are sick should keep residence.
“I’ve requested the chaplains to wish and bless the sick. Those that can’t go to church buildings might watch by means of livestream,” Florencio mentioned.
He mentioned the Catholic Church needs to make sure the security of the sick as they’re extra weak to COVID.
Manila apostolic administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo assured the trustworthy that the identical prayers can be given to them even when they’re solely watching the mass at residence.
Pabillo will preside over the mass that will probably be held on the Nationwide Shrine of St. Michael the Archangel in Manila at 9 a.m. and livestreamed on Fb and TV Maria.
Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco mentioned that lots and particular prayers would even be held on the parishes in Cubao, significantly on the Nationwide Shrine of Our Woman of Lourdes.
Ongtioco gave assurance that well being protocols can be noticed in the course of the ceremony. – Robertzon Ramirez
