MANILA, Philippines — Many Catholics are still afraid to attend religious gatherings for fear of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said yesterday.
In an article posted on the CBCP website, Ozamiz Bishop Martin Jumoad said that only a few people attended mass last Sunday at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Ozamiz City compared to religious services before the COVID-19 outbreak.
Jumoad said the Immaculate Conception Cathedral can accommodate around 1,500 worshippers, but only around 300 people attended when he inaugurated the full opening of the cathedral on May 17.
Jumoad also led the opening of mass in five other parishes in Ozamiz City last Sunday.
“Still, it was good we did it and we hope next Sunday church attendance will increase,” he said.
The local government of Ozamiz City has allowed the holding of masses and other religious activities subject to safety protocols implemented by the Department of Health (DOH) to avoid the spread of COVID-19.