Iloilo churches empty holy water stoups as measure vs A(H1N1)

MANILA, Philippines – Parish churches in the archdiocese of Iloilo have began emptying their Holy Water Stoups aside from giving communion by hand and prohibiting hand-holding at Mass, as measures to stop the spread of A(H1N1)virus. Jaro Archbishop and Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines president Angel Lagdameo has said the order to do the measures throughout archdiocese will be in effect for the duration of the pandemic. "Holy Water Stoups shall be emptied of Holy Water and church-goers are advised just to make the sign of the Cross on entering and going out of the church," said the archdiocese’s advisory posted on the news site The News Today. The archdiocese has ordered that Holy Communion shall be given only through the hand. Also, there shall be no holding of hands during the praying of the Lord’s Prayer. “A simple nod shall suffice for the giving of Peace," The diocesan advisory added. On the other hand, priests and lay ministers distributing communion during the Mass must wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizers before and after the Mass. Lagdameo also urged the priests to include in their petition at every mass that God will heal those who have been stricken by the A(H1N1) virus. - GMANews.TV