By Marie Tonette Marticio
TACLOBAN City - Pursuant to the policies laid out by the Diocese of Borongan in response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Borongan Cathedral has implemented a one-meter social distancing during masses effective Sunday, March 15.
(ALREN BERONIO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Fr. Roneil Canillas, parish priest of the Nativity of Our Lady Parish in Borongan, said they were executing the orders of the government, especially on the prohibition of mass gatherings, but since celebrating mass was important, they have decided to designate areas to limit the number of people entering the cathedral.
"We have prepared sitting plans for our parishioners so only 300 persons will be allowed to enter at a time inside the cathedral," he shared.
He added that if other people decide to attend the mass outside the cathedral, they will still request them to observe the 1-meter distance.
The priest maintained that the church remains available for everyone, and would add more mass schedules to avoid large crowds. They currently have three daily masses and six masses on Sundays.
"Prevention is important now, but faith in God would bring us to salvation. However, this faith should be shown by obeying our laws and the government in order to prevent the spread of this virus," he noted.
Social distancing is also strictly observed in the performance of lay liturgical ministries such as choirs, extraordinary ministers of holy communion, altar servers, among others.