Bishops consider suspending Mass

CEBU, Philippines - The Archdiocese of Cebu is yet to receive word about the proposal to suspend the holding of Masses as authorities are working to stop the spread of the influenza A(H1N1) virus.

It was reported over GMA News that the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is considering the option to help stop the spread of the disease.

The announcement was reportedly made through Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Yñiguez.

This is to top the first recommendation of the church in meanwhile stopping the practice of hand-to-mouth communion and holding hands while singing the Our Father.

However, Yñiguez said over GMANews.TV that the suspension is a “drastic measure” and they need to evaluate the situation considering that the Holy Mass is an important practice of the Catholics.

Media Liaison for the Archdiocese of Cebu Msgr. Achilles Dakay said that they have not received any report yet over the matter.

He said that CBCP will still be having a meeting this July and would probably still be discussing the issue.

 Dakay said that they will wait for Ricardo Cardinal Vidal who is in presently Manila.

“As for now, we will not comment yet on this and will wait for the decision from CBCP.”

Another priest, Fr. Dan de los Angeles, also said that they have not received yet any instructions from CBCP but if they will receive such advice then they would abide by it.

De los Angeles said that he believes that if the CBCP would decide on this, then it would probably be done because it is really needed and the situation would “warrant a drastic measure such as this.”

But he said that as of now, the only thing to do is do the first two measures which are to practice cleanliness and strengthen the immune system.

De los Angeles hopes that the last measure, which is not going to public places such as the church, would be made if it is really needed already.

The Department of Health, however, sees this option as unnecessary.

DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III said that this is not necessary and that no other country is doing this despite even having alarming cases compared to the Philippines which only have mild cases.

Even other churches and parishioners are reportedly not alarmed on holding hands during the singing of the Our Father and the practice of hand to mouth communion.

But, Fr. de los Angeles for his part said that he explains to the people during the Mass that as a precautionary measure they would practice the hand-to-hand communion.

He said that part of the people and the church’s way in helping with the stop pf the spread of the virus.

De los Angeles also said that since the holding of the hands during the singing of the Our Father is not necessary and not stated in the rules of the church, then there’s nothing wrong in stopping the practice.

Classes Resume

Classes resume today in the University of Cebu Lapu-lapu Mandaue as the school administration lifts the 10-day suspension after some of its students tested positive of Influenza A (H1N1).

This also as the reported 15 confirmed cases among the 600 quarantined maritime scholars are now recovering while there are no reported students who have developed fever since Friday.

The first three students, who tested positive of the flu have fully recovered.

The DOH disclosed the 12 additional students confirmed with (A)H1N1 on Saturday, but assured that all of them are getting better and just finishing their medications.

DOH-7 Regional Director Susana Madarieta said that UCLM can definitely resume its classes because so far, the virus has been contained with no more reports of students, belonging in the same group, to have developed flu-like symptoms.

She however advised those who have been exposed to their fellow students, who turned positive of the flu, not to attend classes yet and mix with other students from other departments to lessen the chances of possible spread of the virus.

Madarieta also advised other departments to avoid getting near the marine and nautical engineering building as an added precautionary measure.

She said they could start joining others when confirmed cases will all be cleared.

A UCLM official however assured that the marine and nautical department has its own building which is solely occupied by marine and nautical students.

Madarieta said that students are clustered according to block sections so students would likely to mingle with the same group most of the time.

The number of confirmed cases in the region has reached 33. There have been 175 cases put under observation, 110 of which have turned negative.

Nationwide, DOH reported 861 flu cases as of Friday. Above 70 percent have already recovered so DOH stressed once more to the public that A(H1N1) is a mild flu that should not trigger panic.

Madarieta assured that there is no community level transmission yet in the region. She added that they are focusing the monitoring now on patients with preexisting conditions which is at higher risk than those with none.

Among the 33 confirmed cases in the region however, none has developed complications so far. The public is advised to focus now on boosting their immune system so they could resist these kinds of diseases. — /NLQ (THE FREEMAN)