All Masses and other church-related activities in the Archdiocese of Davao are suspended indefinitely starting Saturday, March 14, in response to Davao City government’s mandate on prohibiting public gathering amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Davao Archbishop Romullo Valles bared this in a video posted on DXGN 89.9 Spirit FM-Davao on Saturday afternoon after a consultation with the city government regarding the city’s current situation.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, earlier this week, announced the urgency of canceling all public gatherings, including conventions and conferences.
Duterte-Carpio, in a radio interview on 87.5FM Disaster Radio Friday afternoon, March 13, discouraged churchgoers to attend religious activities for now to prevent the further spreading of the virus.
Valles, who is also the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president, said the cancellation is in accordance to the issued guidelines through a circular letter dated Friday evening, March 13.
The announcement was in response to the recent declaration of the public health emergency and the raising of the Covid-19 alert level to code red sub-level 2.
Valles, however, said the celebration of the Eucharist, other liturgical services and spiritual activities will be aired through DXGN 89.9 Spirit FM, the archdiocese’s radio station. A livestream will also be aired on Spirit FM’s Facebook page.
This is in line with the guideline, wherein church administrators are mandated to continue the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and Holy Week liturgical celebrations even in the absence of a congregation or churchgoers.
The church official also canceled indefinitely all recollections, pilgrimages, conferences, processions, and other activities that gather people until CBCP will issue another circular letter.
Despite the situation, Valles reiterated the church should remain open to churchgoers who want to pray and “seek prayerful moments” in this situation.
However, he reminded Catholics to follow hygiene protocol, and to remain the cleanliness of the churches and church facilities.
Valles, meanwhile, encouraged the public to self-quarantine or stay at home for the meantime.
He also encouraged the family to pray the rosary, as part of its devotional obligation.
“Such a dispensation, however, does not excuse us from our duty to provide the faithful with spiritual nourishment especially in time of crisis,” Valles said.
“We should encourage the faithful to avail themselves of these and pray together in their homes as a family or in their small Christian communities,” Valles also said.
He reminded Dabawenyos to follow the city government’s mandate to prevent the further spreading of the virus.
He also said to strengthen their faith amid the ongoing worldwide pandemic crisis due to the transmission of the virus.
“We are morally obliged to cooperate and support all the precautionary measure that our health officials and government leader offer us to keep our people safe and healthy,” Valles said.
Meanwhile, the CBCP guideline also states that all parishes are also asked to sound together the church bells at 12 noon, and 8pm, and pray the Oratio Imperata or the invocative protectionn prayer against the spread of the Covid-19 in the world. CBCP already issued the Oratio months earlier.
CBCP also encourages bishops, religious, and the clergy to spend time in silent adoration for the safety of the community, and those who are affected by the virus.
Anointing of the Sick would still be offered, but following the necessary precautions proposed by DOH, particularly in wearing face mask.
The church conference also calls all local Ordinaries and the Diocesan Administrators to call for a Day of Prayer of Fasting for all those who are infected and died with Covid-19, and the deliverance of the entire world from the pandemic transmission of the virus.
The circular letter, however, did not mention the cancellation of all Holy Week activities on Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday are included in the postponement.