IATF awaits church request for increased capacity

MANILA, Philippines — There is no need to change safety protocols for the commemoration of Ash Wednesday, the government said yesterday as it waits for formal requests from religious groups to increase the allowed capacity of places of worship.

Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the Lenten season, falls on Feb. 17.

Last year, ashes were sprinkled on devotees in compliance with the physical distancing protocols designed to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Before the pandemic, clergymen daubed ashes on the foreheads of worshippers to remind them to repent and believe in the gospel of Jesus.

“The protocols we observed previously, I think will still remain,” Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles told state-run PTV-4.

“The population has not been fully vaccinated so the same rule should apply this year as in last year,” he added.

Nograles, co-chair of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), said the protocols have to be discussed with leaders of the Catholic Church.

“I have not received a request from the religious sector with regard to the increase in capacity. I don’t know if there are members of the IATF who have received such a request,” Nograles said.

Places of worship in general community quarantine areas like Metro Manila can fill up to 30 percent of their capacities while those in the most lenient modified general community quarantine are allowed to fill half of their capacities.

Nograles reminded the public to observe safety and health protocols like frequent hand washing, physical distancing and wearing of face masks during the celebration of Valentine’s Day and the Chinese New Year.

“This is for everybody’s safety. The rollout of the vaccines is happening soon... In the meantime, let us follow health and safety protocols,” Nograles said.

World Day of the Sick

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) urged the sick faithful to stay at home as it would hold healing prayers for today’s “World Day of the Sick.”

Bishop Oscar Florencio, vice chairman of the CBCP-episcopal commission on health, said everyone is invited to attend the healing mass, but those who are sick must stay home.

“I have asked the chaplains to pray and bless the sick. Those who cannot go to churches may watch through livestream,” Florencio said.

He said the Catholic Church wants to ensure the safety of the sick as they are more vulnerable to COVID.

Manila apostolic administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo assured the faithful that the same prayers would be given to them even if they are only watching the mass at home.

Pabillo will preside over the mass that will be held at the National Shrine of St. Michael the Archangel in Manila at 9 a.m. and livestreamed on Facebook and TV Maria.

Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco said that masses and special prayers would also be held at the parishes in Cubao, particularly at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Ongtioco gave assurance that health protocols would be observed during the ceremony. – Robertzon Ramirez