Quiapo Church Safer Than Malls Amid COVID-19 Surge Says Official
CHURCHES SAFER THAN MALLS – Following the implementation of the new “NCR Plus” quarantine, church officials opposed some of its protocols.
With the new protocols, mass gathering, including religious activities were banned. However, since its announcement, some church officials expressed dismay, especially as the Holy Week kicks in.
Meanwhile, according to the Vicar of Quiapo Church, Fr. Douglas Badong, churches are safer than malls. He emphasized that the Quiapo church has proven this during the last feast of the Nazarene.
During an interview with ABS-CBN, he said:
Napatunayan naman nating kayang sumunod ng mga tao kasi ibang aspeto ‘yung ispiritwal na ginagawa natin at tinitiyak din ng pamunuan ng bawat simbahan ‘yung kaligtasan ng lahat. Hindi lang kaluluwa kundi pisikal na hindi sila magkasakit
As such, he called on the government to review their implementation and give an exemption to the church. “Sana po mas makita nila ang kahalagahan din po nito”, he added.
Moreover, he noted that the churches simply want to uplift the morale of the public amid the pandemic. Unfortunately, with the implementation of NCR Plus, mass gatherings of more than 10 people within Metro Manila and its 4 surrounding provinces are prohibited.
Still, the Archdiocese of Manila, Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo appealed to the government to allow at least 10% capacity to some liturgies. On the other hand, Fr. Jerome Secillano of the CBCP, said that they should allow those who want to come inside the churches.
“We are going to celebrate our liturgies because it’s Holy Week. Hindi naman namin ini-encourage na pumasok ang mga tao. However, kung mayroong tao na kumatok, halimbawa, isa, dalawa, tatlo, hindi namin pwedeng sabihin hindi kayo pwedeng pumasok…Maybe people can stay outside”.
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