exclamation

Important notice: To continue serving our valued readers during the postal disruption, complete unrestricted access to the digital edition is available at no extra cost. This will ensure uninterrupted digital access to your copies. Click here to view the digital edition, or learn more.

Workers wearing protective masks wait for shuttle services in Manila, Philippines, Aug. 4, 2020, the first day of the government's reimplementation of a stricter pandemic lockdown.
Workers wearing protective masks wait for shuttle services in Manila, Philippines, Aug. 4, 2020, the first day of the government's reimplementation of a stricter pandemic lockdown. CNS photo/Eloisa Lopez, Reuters

Eleven Philippine dioceses suspend Masses in effort to control COVID-19

By 
  • August 4, 2020

MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippine government issued new orders restricting movement in an effort to control a spike in COVID-19, resulting in 10 dioceses suspending public Masses.

In addition, the Diocese of Balanga in Bataan province voluntarily suspended the public celebration of Masses, and Bishop Ruperto Santos dispensed Catholics from their Sunday obligation in order to help fight the pandemic.

The move came as medical workers asked for tighter restrictions because of the spike, reported CBCP News, official news agency of the Philippine bishops.

CBCP News reported that from Aug. 4 to 18, the dioceses in Metro Manila and four provinces will not have public Masses. The decision was announced after President Rodrigo Duterte's meeting with key Cabinet officials Aug. 2 as Covid-19 infections surged past 100,000.

CBCP News reported that before the government order, the Manila Archdiocese and the dioceses of Cubao and Paranaque had already announced the temporary suspension of public liturgical services for two weeks.

Bishop Broderick Pabillo of Manila said medical workers on the front lines of the pandemic had shown compassion and dedication.

"Many among them are tired and even discouraged by their heavy responsibilities. So we support their appeal for a 'time out,'" Bishop Pabillo said.

In an Aug. 3 pastoral directive reported by CBCP News, Bishop Santos said of his region: "Just this past week, our COVID-19 positive cases have doubled. ... Because of these, we are, once again, closing the doors of the church."

Tagged under:

Related items

More in this category: « Bishops from Japan, U.S. call Catholics to work for nuclear disarmament Explosion in Beirut adds suffering to Lebanon's dire situation »

Please support The Catholic Register

Unlike many media companies, The Catholic Register has never charged readers for access to the news and information on our website. We want to keep our award-winning journalism as widely available as possible. But we need your help.

For more than 125 years, The Register has been a trusted source of faith-based journalism. By making even a small donation you help ensure our future as an important voice in the Catholic Church. If you support the mission of Catholic journalism, please donate today. Thank you.

DONATE