Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 5)— Several church leaders have appealed to the government to allow the resumption of religious activities in areas under general community quarantine, promising that social distancing protocols will still be observed.
Bishop Broderick Pabillo, apostolic administrator of Manila, urged officials to consider the reopening of churches, saying that religious activities can also been seen as “essential” services.
“So when the decision makers consider the essential services to be allowed, they should also consider the opening of the churches and its services as important,” Pabillo said in a statement released on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ website.
Pabillo said religion and related activities are important for many Filipinos who have been seeking strength and hope amid the COVID-19 crisis.
“Allowing people to go back to Church to thank the Lord, to ask for his protection and implore his help, are deemed very important by the people,” he said.
In line with the proposal, Pabillo said churches will make sure that necessary health precautions— including physical distancing and sanitation practices— will remain in place.
Meanwhile, Fr. Elias Ayuban, superior of the Claretian congregation in the Philippines, likewise called for the resumption of religious gatherings in areas classified as “low risk” for COVID-19 infection.
“I see no prevailing reason why an organized Sunday gathering in a cathedral or spacious parish church, where physical separation can easily be executed, (is) not permitted,” he said.
The Council of the Laity of the Philippines also appealed to the government to rethink its decision on the ban, saying it is willing to submit plans and guidelines for the “strict observance” of health measures.
“We demand that our right to religious worship be not curtailed when the necessary safeguards are followed,” it noted.
Church activities and essential work-related meetings have again been banned in cities and provinces under GCQ, according to the revised guidelines announced by Malacañang last week. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the rule stemmed from “protests” from several local officials.
The enhanced community quarantine has been extended until mid-May in the National Capital Region, Calabarzon, Central Luzon (except for Aurora), and other COVID high-risk areas. All other provinces and cities classified as lower risk areas meanwhile saw a gradual easing of measures under the GCQ.
