AN OFFICIAL of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines-Public Affairs Committee (CBCP-PAC) reminded the faithful who would be visiting churches on Maundy Thursday for the Visita Iglesia to refrain from taking pictures while praying to preserve the solemnity of the religious activity.
Fr. Jerome Secillano, CBCP-PAC executive secretary, noted the public should pray first; after that they can take all the pictures, selfies or groupies they want.
The priest of the Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro Parish in Sampaloc, Manila admitted that many people now want the world or the people close to them to know what they are doing at work or during leisure time by posting them on social media.
The Manila priest added that Visita Iglesia or going to different churches was not an obligation.
In related developments:
• The Interior Department on Tuesday urged all local chief executives to ensure the safety of their constituents and guests visiting their areas as Filipinos start their exodus to the provinces to spend there the Holy Week break.
“People usually flock to churches and other religious destinations during the Holy Week but there are also those who would like to relax and enjoy the long weekend,” DILG officer-in-charge Catalino Cuy said. “Whatever their choice may be, let us ensure that crowded places and other places of interests remain crime-free, safe, and clean.”
• The Bureau of Immigration deployed 341 immigration officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport this Holy Week to act as standby reserve and ready to process travelers should the need arise.
The 341 employees comprised the “reserve” employees currently detailed at the NAIA as part of the bureau’s contingency measures to be implemented in the event of a huge increase in passenger volume at the premiere port during the four-day Lenten break, according to immigration commissioner Jaime Morente.
“I have directed them to be ready to report to the Naia, when called, starting on Holy Wednesday until Easter Sunday. I asked them to forego their vacation and instead make this sacrifice for the benefit of the traveling public,” Morente added.
The BI chief, however, expressed his satisfaction over the noticeable reduction of passenger queues at the aiports’ immigration areas in the past few days.
He observed that lesser immigration officers were reportedly absent, adding many of the immigration officers he earlier reassigned to augment the BI’s manpower at the Naia have complied with his directive.
