ILOILO CITY – With the rising number of local transmission of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Catholic churches in this city will once again be closing its doors to the public in the celebration of the Holy Mass.
“I am asking all city parishes to suspend public masses beginning today until further notice,” said Jaro Archbishop Jose Romeo Lazo in a statement released Saturday, August 8.
The archdiocese was responding to the appeal made by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, asking local officials and leaders to temporarily halt mass gatherings for the next two weeks as more than 100 new local cases of COVID-19 were recorded in the past several days including a new COVID-19 fatality Saturday.
“In the meantime, we are asked to be vigilant, as we uphold the safety and welfare of each and everyone,” Lazo noted.
While churchgoers are not temporarily allowed to attend, the archbishop encouraged them to participate in the Eucharist that will be streamed on social media platforms as a means to cope with the fear stoked by COVID-19.
“Every family, household or faith community is still encouraged to reflect on the Word of God, and of course to pray fervently, most especially for the grace of healing and transformation,” urged Lazo.
“We gather as a community of believers, praying humbly to our generous and merciful God that this pandemic will soon end,” added Lazo.