Nueva Segovia prelate issues guidelines on observance of church services during ECQ

By Freddie Lazaro

VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur – Bishop Marlo Peralta of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia has issued guidelines on the conduct of masses and church services of the Catholic Church while the province is under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID – 19).

In his Circular No. 3 series of 2020 addressed to priests and lay leaders, Peralta said that all barangay masses, daily and Sunday masses with congregation, including barangay and town fiesta masses are suspended during the period of the ECQ to keep everybody safe from COVID – 19.

“The faithful are dispensed by the Archbishop from their Sunday obligation during the ECQ but are highly encouraged to celebrate the Holy Eucharist in their homes through the different forms of media outlet (radio/television) or social media (Facebook, etc.) but parish churches will remain open seven days a week during day time for the people to feel free to enter and pray anytime they want,” the circular reads.

The Archbishop said the celebration of weddings and baptisms are to be postponed to a later date after the prescribed ECQ.

“Funerals are allowed so long as the family members and relatives are limited to less than 50 persons,” he said.

He added that sick calls are to be responded to with the precautionary measures to be strictly observed by the minister.

Every Friday of Lent and Good Friday are to be obligatory days of fasting, prayer and penance to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The circular added, “Bells are to be rung at 8:00 in the morning to signal the simultaneous hour of adoration to be done in all parishes, oratories and religious houses. Bells are to be rung at 12:00 noon and 8:00 in the evening every day to invite people to communal praying of the Oratio Imperata or prayer for protection against the spread of COVID-19.”

The bishop said that church offices (including Imprenta) and Nueva Segovia Archdiocesan Catholic School (NUSACS) shall remain closed to business until April 14 but the employees are entitled to their salaries.

“Regarding the collection of tithes, each parish should take precautions to ensure the health of collectors,” the prelate said.

“We owe it to the people we have sworn to serve, to protect them and the common good. Now is an opportune time for us to be united in invoking the mercy of God to stop the transmission of this dreaded disease and to implore the intercession of Apo Caridad, the patroness of Ilocandia,” he added.