Praying in church is not ‘mass gathering’

"We do not actually socialize when we go inside the church building, where we pray and primarily commune with the Holy Spirit."

I’ve said previously that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has taken the right steps in response to the resurgence of COVID-19 cases, particularly in Metro Manila.

I support the strict enforcement of the unified 10PM-5AM curfew, continued travel restriction on foreign visitors for leisure, and continued suspension of face-to-face school attendance, among others.

Indeed, there is no cause for panic and chaos that ensued after we reacted too late to the coronavirus epidemic brought by a group of Chinese tourists from Wuhan City, China in January last year. 

There is no need for over-reaction, total lockdown, shutdown of businesses and stoppage of mass transportation that cost millions of jobs and massive economic losses. 

The recent surge in COVID infections is truly alarming with the number of active cases reaching 92,000 as of Wednesday March 24, although it is but 0.08 percent of the country’s 110 million population. 

Even with very few health workers getting the vaccines, 580,000 have recovered which represent at least 85 percent of 684,000 total COVID-19 cases in the country. 

At least 92 percent of the current active cases are mild cases while 13,000 have died.   

The 49,000 active cases in Metro Manila as of Tuesday March 23 is a nil 0.35 percent of its 14 million population. 

Since the gradual reopening of the economy, the joblessness reportedly went down from seven million to four million, which is 29 percent of 14 million Metro Manila population.

There are, in fact, more hungry people than those who are sick with COVID-19.

The latest surge in Covid-19 infections should not be blamed on the people as a whole, although where are quite a few of our kababayan who are really “pasaway.”

The people should not be blamed for the inadequacy of the public healthcare system and affordable COVID-19 tests, which have become big business.

To quell the surge of infections, the IATF has also reinstituted the age restrictions on the mobility of those younger than 18 and older than 65 with the exception of those employed. 

What I strongly disagree with is the IATF order to restrict church services. I believe this is beyond the purview of its authority under the principle of separation of Church and State.

I support the church’s stand elucidated by Archbishop Broderick Pabillo in a Pastoral Letter, saying that the Archdiocese of Manila will continue religious services at 10-percent church capacity. 

The Archdiocese of Manila includes the cities of Manila, Pasay, Makati, Mandaluyong, and San Juan.

“We will not have any religious activity outside of our churches such as senakulo, pabasa, processions, motorcades, and Visita Iglesia.  But within our churches starting March 24, we will have our religious worship within 10 percent of our maximum church capacity,” Pabillo said.

He vowed that the worshippers will be spread apart within our churches, following the IATF  health protocols that the churches have consistently observed, even as he encouraged other Catholics to join religious services via livestreaming.

Pabillo called on Catholics to defy the government’s ban on religious gatherings, reigniting the debate about health protocols against coronavirus and religious freedom.

“They are wrong, and we should not follow such guidelines that lacked consultations, and it somehow breaks the separation of church and state,” Pabillo said.

I see the Church as a totally different setting from shopping malls, cinemas, gyms, spa and tourist spots which the IATF allowed to remain open anyway.

Practically and essentially, we do not have “mass gathering” when we go to church where people interact sparingly.

We do not actually socialize when we go inside the church building, where we pray and primarily commune with the Holy Spirit.

It is where Filipinos go for refuge and boost their spirituality during Holy Week amidst these most trying times.   

As Bishop Pabillo said, the minimum health and safety standards are observed, although President Duterte himself had said social or physical distancing is impossible particularly in Metro Manila due to overcrowding. 

I would pray that the members of the IATF learn to respect that.