Not allowing religious gatherings but having spas open is 'double standard' —CBCP spokesperson

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines on Tuesday questioned the government's directive not to allow religious gatherings while allowing personal services such as gyms and spas operate amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Well, tama naman po talaga 'yung sinabi ni Bishop Ambo David dito kasi may pagkukumparahan tayo dito. Kumbaga shinut down mo ang simbahan, hindi mo papapasukin 'yung mga tao, pero 'yung iba na katulad ng spa ay puwede pumasok. Siyempre practically bakit ganoon, parang double standard naman," CBCP spokesperson Fr. Jerome Secillano said in an interview on Unang Hirit.

(Well, Bishop Ambo David was right in saying that since there is a point of comparison. You shut down the church and won't let people in. But you allow others like spas to open. Of course we ask, why is it like that? It seems like double standard.)

CBCP vice president and Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David on Monday slammed the government’s decision to ban religious gatherings anew following the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in the country.

“In spite of our adherence to strict protocol, you lock down our churches during the holiest time of the year and allow 70 percent capacity in fitness centers and 50 percent in establishments for personal care services, including spas?!!!” David said.

“All right. May God have mercy on your souls!” he added.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque earlier said operational capacities of essential and non-essential services/industries will be maintained, subject to safety protocols and minimum public health standards, with 30 to 50% operational or on-site capacity where applicable during the two-week general community quarantine with stricter restrictions in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal.

Religious gatherings however were banned in Metro Manila and the four provinces mentioned starting Monday, March 22, until April 4, 2021.

"Why is it that these nonessential services are allowed to operate? Kami bilang taong simbahan, we consider it essential lalong lalo na sa Holy Week 'yan," the CBCP spokesperson said.

(We, being church people, consider going to church as essential, especially during Holy Week.)

Secillano however said the CBCP is grateful for the opportunity to voice out their sentiment about the matter.

"Ang maganda, nabigyan kami ng pagkakataon na maibulalas, malabas din namin  kung ano din ang saloobin namin patungkol dito. Pero sa kahuli-hulihan kasi ang IATF [Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID)] din ang magdedesisyon. In the past ginawa na rin namin 'yan na sana huwag naman tayo masyadong istriktohan. Pero of course wala din kaming magawa dahil diumano sila ang mas nakakaaalam ng situwasyon," he said.

(What is good is that we were given the opportunity to voice out our sentiment. But in the end, it is IATF which makes the decision. In the past, we also asked that churches be given a little leeway. But of course, we cannot do anything since they are supposed to know the situation more.)

The CBCP does not want the Church to be blamed though for any spike in the number of COVID-19 cases.

"Ayaw din naman na mabe-blame ang Simbahan. Baka naman magkaroon ng spike ulit 'yan at ituro nila na ang Simbahan ang naging cause nito. We don’t want that to happen also," Secillano said.

(We don't want the Church to be blamed. There might be another spike and the Church will be identified as the cause.)

The CBCP official asked the public for understanding and cooperation.

"Humihingi rin kami ng paumanhin. Hindi naman po natin gusto ito pero para maprotektahan na lang po ang bawat isa, maging disiplinado tayo, mag-cooperate na lang tayo at pang-unawa na rin po," Secillano said.

(We ask for understanding. We don't like this but for everyone's protection, let us be disciplined and let us cooperate and extend understanding.)

Secillano also urged the faithful to continually pray and join in the Holy Week activities even if they are at home. —KG, GMA News