No processions this Holy Week, says CBCP; Palaspas blessing, Salubong in QC dioceses suspended

Processions will no longer be held this Holy Week in Catholic churches, while other activities in two Quezon City dioceses will be limited amid the rise in COVID-19 cases, officials said.

"Kahit hindi tumataas ang kaso ng COVID-19 ngayon, hindi na talaga gagawin ang mga prusisyon, Fr. Jerome Secillano, spokesperson of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), said on Dobol B TV on Saturday.

(Even if the number of COVID-19 cases has not gone up, processions are really not allowed.)

Fr. Secillano: Kahit hindi tumataas ang kaso ng COVID-19 ngayon, hindi na talaga gagawin ang mga prusisyon. https://t.co/Jl7zdrja0g

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) March 19, 2021

Quezon City

Meanwhile, the public gatherings for the blessing of the palaspas (palm leaves) on Palm Sunday as well as the Salubong or welcoming of the risen Christ on Easter Sunday are suspended in the Dioceses of Cubao and Novaliches.

Bishop Roberto Gaa of the Diocese of Novaliches and Bishop Honesto Ongtioco of the Diocese of Cubao recently met with Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and agreed to impose restrictions during Holy Week from March 28 to April 4.

Aside from suspending the public gatherings for the blessing of the palaspas and the Salubong, also disallowed in the two dioceses is the pabasa or the reading of the passion of the Christ. Instead, virtual or online Pabasa is encouraged.

The penitensiya or flagellation will also be prohibited.

“Alam kong matagal na nating itong tradisyon subalit wala tayong magagawa kundi pansamantala itong isantabi habang naririto pa ang virus at mabilis ang pagtaas ng mga kaso natin,” Belmonte said, referring to the blessing of the palaspas and the Salubong.

The bishops and the mayor also agreed to encourage the faithful to participate in Visita Iglesia or Stations of the Cross online.

Meanwhile, the Quezon City government allowed the procession of religious images in the two dioceses provided that the convoy will consist of only three vehicles. No audience or parishioners will be allowed, but live streaming of the event may be conducted.

Manila

In Manila, Holy Week activities have been suspended due to the pandemic, Mayor Isko Moreno earlier said.

Among the canceled activities in Manila are penitensiya (flagellation), carrying of the cross, and Visita Iglesia.

Other measures

Fr. Secillano said churches throughout the country continue to follow health protocols amid the pandemic.

Those intending to enter a church will have to wear face mask and face shield, observe social distancing, step on the foot bath, and use the disinfectants at the entrances and exits.

Meanwhile, those found to have fever are not allowed inside churches. Body temperature is checked at entrances.

"Wala pa kaming nabalitaan na sa loob ng simbahan na-infect [ng COVID-19]," Fr. Secillano said.

(We have not received any report of anyone contracting COVID-19 inside a church.)

In some instances, the church provides face shield for those without any.

"'Yung ibang simbahan, nagpo-provide ng face shield. 'Yung simbahan na po mismo ang nagte-take ng initiative upang protektahan ang mga tao," the CBCP spokesperson said.

(Other churches provide face shields. They take the initiative to protect the people.)

To ensure social distancing, churches have also lessened the number of Masses held per day and extended the gap between Masses to at least 30 minutes, he added.

The faithful are also encouraged to attend Mass online via Facebook.

Some churches use manual contact tracing forms while others use the QR code, Fr. Secillano said.

Meanwhile, Fr. Secillano said a number of priests were infected by COVID-19. There were fatalities, but most have recovered.

He also urged the government to ensure the public complies with the directive for minors and those above 65 years old to stay home.

"Hindi namin puwedeng bitbitin palabas ng simbahan ['yung mga pinagbabawalang lumabas ng bahay]," Fr. Secillano said.

(We cannot drag them out of the churches.) —KG, GMA News