MANILA, Philippines — Catholic bishops in Metro Manila have suspended the celebration of the Holy Mass in the capital region until April 14, as well as other religious activities during the Holy Week, amid the growing concerns on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). ADVERTISEMENT“We will abide by the government’s directive to suspend all large gatherings from March 15 to April 14. So there will be no celebration of the Holy Mass with a large congregation within this period, plus other religious activities during the Holy Week which usually attract huge crowds of the faithful,” the bishops said in a pastoral statement released on Monday. The bishops said they will heed the instruction of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines in its circular 20-14 which reads that the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and Holy Week liturgical celebrations, even in the absence of a congregation, should be continued. There will also be no public blessing of palms, the Visita Iglesia, Siete Palabras, Good Friday procession and Easter Salubong.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer March 16, 2020 03:33 UTC