DOH: Avoid 'pahalik' and crucifixion during Holy Week

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health asked Catholic devotees to avoid kissing images of Christ during Holy Week to prevent the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.

“We advise and request our churches kung maaari po itong practice na ito ay hindi muna natin ipatupad. Meron naman tayong ibang bagay or ways kung paano makakapag-show ng devotion,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a briefing Tuesday.

(We advise and request our churches to disallow this practice for now. There are other ways to show our devotion.)

Vergeire stressed that one of the ways the virus spreads is through droplet transmission or when infectious particles come into direct contact with the eyes, nose or mouth.

According to the World Health Organization, a person can also contract the virus when infectious particles that pass through the air are inhaled at short range. The virus can also spread in poorly ventilated and/or crowded indoor settings.

Last week, the Quiapo Church resumed the “pahalik” of the image of the Black Nazarene, two years since the COVID-19 pandemic started. The church’s parochial vicar Douglas Badong, however, clarified that devotees are only allowed to touch the image of the Black Nazarene. This means that kissing the image is still prohibited.

The health department also discouraged the tradition of reenacting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ as it causes harm.

Vergeire warned that crucifixion could lead to possible infections and tetanus.

“And advice po natin sa ating kababayan kung maiiwasan naman, maaari naman tayong sumamba sa ating panginoon sa ibang paraan. Hindi ‘yung mag-inflict ng harm sa ating mga sarili,” she said.  

(Our advice is for the people to avoid the tradition if they can. They can show their devotion in other ways, not by inflicting harm on oneself.) — Gaea Katreena Cabico