WHILE masses for the traditional Misa de Gallo will be allowed in Davao City, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) "still encouraged the live streaming of these liturgical celebrations" for those who cannot attend brought about the restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
CBCP President Romulo Valles, who is also the Davao Archbishop, issued instructions on the celebration of Aguinaldo Masses, Misa de Gallo or Simbang Gabi, posted on the CBCP News website.
Valles said the Catholic church will be adjusting its annual Christmas masses, in accordance with the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) guidelines.
"In the past months, we have been limited and sometimes even prevented in our participation from the liturgical celebrations of the church due to the Covid-19. Social distancing is necessary to help stem the spread of the virus. Evening curfew hours have also been imposed in almost all places to prevent people from big gatherings," Valles said.
"During this time of the pandemic, the Church has adjusted the forms of important seasonal celebrations of the Sacraments and the liturgy," Valles added.
With the mandatory physical distancing within churches, he said they are recommending that "for Simbang Gabi, masses in the evening can start as early as 6 p.m. and for the morning the last Aguinaldo Masses, Misa de Gallo or Simbang Gabi Mass can be at 6 a.m."
He added, "The Bishop of the place in consultation with the pastors of the parishes and in coordination with the LGU [local government unit] could schedule more Simbang Gabi Masses in different venues which can be large enough to accommodate more people and still observe social distancing".
The Misa De Gallo will be from December 16 to 24.
On Christmas Eve, the CBCP head said "the Vigil Mass of Christmas may be celebrated from 6:00 in the evening. The last Mass of December 24 would take the liturgy of the Midnight Mass of Christmas. The dawn Mass of Christmas may also be celebrated early morning of December 25."
While Simbang Gabi will still be allowed in some places, including Davao City, the Catholic head urged parishes to stream live their respective masses to accommodate those who cannot attend.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said on Friday, December 4, that she already talked to the local Archdiocese if they can stream live their masses online or through radio the masses so that churchgoers could still participate even within their residences, including those from the vulnerable sectors.
"So that people can still attend the Misa de Gallo, katong mga vulnerable sector and age, pinaagi sa kana nga mga pamaagi sulod sa ilang panimalay," Duterte-Carpio said in a radio interview via 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR).
The mayor added that the City Government-owned DCDR is also planning to broadcast the Christmas mass, while they are also coordinating with state-owned People's Television Network (PTV) Davao if they can also air the masses on their channel.
The mayor recently said the City Government will not adjust the 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew even if it will allow Christmas masses in the city.