IATF allows limited church rites this Lent

MANILA, Philippines — The government’s pandemic task force will allow churches to conduct limited religious services from Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday, Malacañang said yesterday, amending an earlier announcement prohibiting mass gatherings during the general community quarantine in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) on Thursday approved Resolution No. 105, allowing once-a-day religious events, with attendance limited to 10 percent capacity of churches from April 1 to 4.

“Religious gatherings must observe a maximum indoor capacity of 10 percent of a venue’s capacity at all times,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said at a press briefing.

Roque urged the faithful who cannot be accommodated inside churches to attend online masses and other religious services instead.

The IATF amended a memorandum issued by Malacañang on March 21 in response to the request of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) as part of the celebration of the 500 years of Christianity in the country.

“This is not just for the Catholic Church, this is for all the faithful including Muslims, Shinto – religious gatherings once a day are allowed with 10 percent attendance,” Roque said.

To discourage people from flocking outside the church, Roque said the use of sound system is prohibited while the mass or religious service is ongoing.

“Live singing will be strictly limited and recorded singing is encouraged,” he said.

Religious groups were urged to set up a system that would allow devotees to reserve slots for in-person attendance in churches to ensure compliance with the capacity limit.

Church welcomes decision

The CBCP welcomed the decision of the IATF to allow religious activities during the Holy Week.

“It’s a welcome development for the faithful. At least, they will  be given a chance to celebrate and commemorate the Easter Triduum, being the highest point of our faith,” CBCP executive secretary of the public affairs committee Fr. Jerome Secillano said.

Secillano said the government must have realized that “faith is also vital to surviving this public health crisis.”

He said the Catholic Church would strictly enforce health protocols to ensure the safety of the faithful.

Earlier, the IATF banned religious gatherings of more than 10 people in the National Capital Region and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal, which were placed under the NCR-Plus bubble to stem the soaring number of COVID-19 cases.

Manila Auxillary Bishop Broderick Pabillo was vocal against the ban on religious gatherings, saying the people need spiritual activities and sustenance during the Holy Week.

Church leaders said they would abide by the IATF guidelines rules as the country continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Roque has said the government would order the closure of churches that will defy the ban on religious gatherings.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) urged the public to just attend virtual masses at home to prevent COVID-19 transmission even as the IATF allowed religious services.

DILG spokesman Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said staying at home is still the safest option for the faithful to mark the Holy Week.

“Given that only 10 percent of capacity will be allowed inside  churches, we urge the faithful to stay at home and attend masses virtually through social media sites to prevent crowding outside the churches,” Malaya said in a statement.

The DILG ordered the Philippine National Police and barangays to implement health protocols in coordination with local parishes and religious groups.

Malaya thanked the Archdiocese of Manila for entering into a dialogue with the DILG and underscoring the CBCP’s commitment to help the government in its efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

The CBCP assured the DILG that it would strictly comply with the minimum health standards to avoid virus transmission in churches.

“The decision of the IATF shows that the government fully respects the right to worship and recognizes its importance in providing spiritual support, reducing stress and promoting good mental health in these trying times,” Malaya said.  –  Robertzon Ramirez, Romina Cabrera