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Church eyes adjustments in services due to A(H1N1) scare


MANILA, Philippines — Now that authorities have confirmed an A(H1N1) case in the country, the Catholic Church is considering adjustments in its religious services as a precaution. But Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines spokesman Msgr. Pedro Quitorio III asked authorities for details about the first confirmed case so the Church can calibrate its response. “They should announce the true score so for us to create a proper response without creating panic. They should specify the area for a realistic response in the dioceses," he said in an article on the CBCP website (www.cbcpnews.com) Friday evening. He did not say if the Church would seek a closed-door meeting with the Health Department to find out more details about the first confirmed A(H1N1) case, a 10-year-old girl. Health authorities had withheld information on the case at the request of the girl's family for privacy. In the meantime, he said it is up to the individual dioceses to take steps to combat the virus’ spread during Sunday service, when personal interaction is the norm. Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz earlier said he would ban close contacts among churchgoers in his archdiocese if the situation calls for it. He said “safety precautions are necessary to avoid further spread of the virus," adding he might discourage people from holding each other’s hands and other forms of close contact inside the church. In Manila Archdiocese, Ministry of Liturgical Affairs head Fr. Genaro Diwa said they are eyeing “practical recommendations" to prevent the spread of the disease. Diwa said these precautions will be similar to those taken during the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) scare in 2003. “For example, in the Holy Communion, we implanted the receiving of communion only by the hand. Communion of the tongue was forbidden at that time in view of the conditions," he said. Diwa said they might also discourage the faithful from kissing or touching images of saints and other objects of veneration, and advised their flocks to avoid close contact as much as possible. - GMANews.TV
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