CBCP revives ‘Undas online’

MANILA, Philippines — The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has revived its “Undas online” and will start accepting virtual prayer requests nationwide, as cemeteries will be closed on All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days.

In an article, the CBCP said the website for the virtual Undas was revived so that the faithful can send their request for prayers for their departed loved ones online amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Msgr. Pedro Quitorio, media office director of the CBCP, said the website for virtual Undas will add more features that will give the faithful a virtual experience while observing pandemic safety protocols.

“There will be online masses that will be streamed from different places,” Quitorio said.

The Metro Manila Council had approved the partial
 closure of all public and private cemeteries in the metropolis starting Oct. 29 to Nov. 4 in a bid to control the crowd during Undas.

With the temporary closure of cemeteries, Manila Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo urged the faithful to observe Undas by going to church and hearing mass.

“On Nov. 1 and 2, all are encouraged to go to Church and offer mass for our beloved dead. The Holy Eucharist is the best prayer that we can offer,” Pabillo said.

Under the new guidelines of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), churches are allowed to accommodate up to 10 percent of its seating capacity in areas under general community quarantine.