By Leslie Ann Aquino
Holy face mask during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic?
The Liturgical Commission of the Archdiocese of Pampanga said there is no such thing, dismissing it as a "marketing strategy or gimmick."
"There are no such things as holy face masks, holy face shield, holy sanitizer, holy personal protective equipment (PPE), holy goggles etc. This is an irreverent marketing strategy or gimmick," the commission said in a Facebook post on Monday, June 8.
The Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission also dismissed as "fake news" those saying that the Church has replaced its holy water with "holy" alcohol.
"It is fake news that during this time of pandemic, the Church has replaced holy water with holy alcohol even if it has been temporarily set aside as we enter the church to prevent contamination," it said.
"There is no sacramental holy alcohol that we should make the sign of the cross when we rub it on ourselves," it added.
"Moreover, it should not be sprinkled on the faithful," the post read.
The commission stressed that "there is no substitute to holy water."
"Blessed water is the matter of baptism. Using another material element or liquid makes such baptism invalid," it said.
Churches have been implementing safety protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 such as the wearing of face masks, and the use of hand sanitizers, among others.