WITH coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases continuing to increase in Cebu City, the Archdiocese of Cebu has announced that it is extending for another month the implementation of its liturgical health protocols in all Cebu City parishes, which have been observed since the start of July 2021.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, through Circular 15/21 issued on Wednesday, July 28, said the decision was made after consultations with and “acting upon the valid request of the Cebu City Government, particularly with the people running the Cebu City Emergency Operations Center.”

The archdiocese is still to release some specific instructions for parishes in the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu, which have been placed under modified enhanced community quarantine status from Aug. 1 to 15.

One of the major liturgical changes included in Circular 13/21, which contains updated liturgical protocols for Cebu City parishes as of July 2021, was the temporary suspension of chapel masses, particularly novena, fiesta and monthly masses in small or sitio chapels where it is difficult to implement minimum health standards like social distancing.

However, chapels in the mountain barangays of Guba, Pulangbato, Buhisan, Sudlon 1 and Babag are exempted from the temporary suspension of masses as they are “far from their respective parish chapels.”

Sunday masses at the gymnasium in Barangay Cogon, Pardo will also continue as these are essential for the archdiocese’s preparation for the future erection of the Sto. Pio Parish in the barangay. (WBS)