Seniors above 65 can't attend Masses unless fully vaccinated

CEBU, Philippines — Senior citizens who are above 65 years old are allowed to attend Sunday masses only if they are fully vaccinated while children below 15 years old are barred entry in parishes in Cebu City.

However, children below this age are allowed during the sacraments of baptism and confirmation, unless they are not the recipients of these sacraments.

Also, the existing liturgical protocols of limiting the attendance of Sunday Liturgy to 50 percent of the churches capacity, and observing physical distancing and disinfection after Mass shall continue.

These are some of the contents of the Cebu archdiocese’s circular letter of instruction on the updated protocols for the celebration of the Sacraments in barrio or barangay chapels in Cebu City for the month of July.

Signed by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma and Archdiocesan Chancellor Msgr. Renato Beltran Jr., the circular was released to help tame the rising COVID-19 cases in Cebu City.

These changes, they said, have been agreed during the coordination meeting with the Cebu City Emergency Operations Center. By the end of July, the rules will be reviewed to determine if there is a need to lift them.

“Novena, fiesta, Sundays and monthly masses in barrio chapels are suspended till the end of the month. These masses can be celebrated in our respective parishes,” the circular read.

This suspension, however, does not include the barrio chapels in the mountain barangay parishes of Guba, Pulangbato, Buhisan, Sudlon I and Maomawan quasi-parish.

“Considerations are given to said barrio chapels, which are reportedly far from their respective parish churches,” the circular read.

According to the circular, the same protocol will be observed for the sacrament of matrimony, which is to observe simpler wedding and discourage an entourage in wedding ceremonies.

It also said that masses in offices and factories are likewise temporarily suspended as it will be difficult for the LGU to check the suitability of these places.

Blessings of houses, offices and other places are allowed provided health protocols, especially social distancing, are strictly followed.

On wake masses at home of the deceased and masses at cemeteries, coordination with the LGU is a must and taking consideration of the existing government guidelines on gatherings of people, the discretion of the parish priest is to be exercised.

As of to the wake masses at mortuaries, the Cebu City EOC personnel will meet with the mortuary management on the matter.

As to processions and motorcades during fiestas and other celebrations, motorcades are still allowed but with proper coordination and permission from the LGU.

However, processions, of any kind are still prohibited, except for processions done with the church premises provided health protocols are strictly observed.

Meanwhile, Sunday masses at the barangay gymnasium in Barangay Cogon-Pardo are also exempted as these are of a different category. The exemption is essential in the preparation for the future erection of the Santo Padre Pio Parish in the said barangay.

“All health protocols are still to be observed in the celebration of said masses in chapels where the exemption has been given. Chapel pews are to have markings on where are the people supposed to sit during the celebration of the Holy Masses,” the circular further stated. — JMD (FREEMAN)