ARCHBISHOP Florentino Lavarias issued on Monday Circular 25, instructing all the clergy in Pampanga to only host private Masses until April 14 in a bid to contain the spread of the dreaded coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
All parishes will celebrate the Holy Mass without a congregation until April 14, the circular stated, adding that private Masses should be aired through social streaming platforms or through the official Facebook or YouTube accounts of the respective parishes.
Lavarias also cancelled Masses in all parish chapels along with pilgrimages, processions and recollections. Formal church weddings and baptism are also cancelled but the said sacraments may be administered with the limited attendance of only the parents and God parents.
There will also be no funeral masses but priests are allowed to administer funeral blessings. Communion for the sick had also been halted except for viaticum. House blessings and other sacramentals were also suspended.
Lavarias, in a public address Monday night, March 16, told the Catholic faithful that they are dispensed from their regular Sunday obligations provided they attend church through the various streaming sites of their respective parishes.
The archbishop also urged the faithful to take the temporary suspension of public Church activities to contemplate and pray for those affected by the virus.