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Church to comply with limits on religious gatherings

Philippines | National

Church to comply with limits on religious gatherings

By Leslie Ann Aquino

An official of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said the church will comply with the decision of the government limiting religious gatherings to 30 percent capacity.

"Am sure, the church will comply," Father Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the CBCP Public Affairs Committee, said in an interview on Friday, March 19.

"We've gone through this last year," he added.

The CBCP official believes that the move is all for the "common good" amid the surge in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the country.

Secillano was also asked regarding Manila Mayor Francisco 'Isko Moreno' Domagoso's announcement that all Holy Week activities in the city will be suspended.

He replied with this:"If you'll recall, there was no cancellation of Holy Week activities last year. We did everything closed doors as people were not allowed to go out just yet."

"That's the same scenario we're looking at this year if the situation calls for it," Secillano said.

Presidential Spokesperson and Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque Jr on Friday, March 19 announced the IATF decision to reduce the venue capacity for some activities and industries, and to suspend the operations of industries that were previously opened or allowed to operate.

Secretary Roque said that because of rising COVID-19 cases, the IATF decided to temporarily suspend in areas under General Community Quarantine until April 4, 2021, the operation of driving schools, traditional cinemas, videos and interactive game arcades, libraries, archives, museums and cultural centers.

In terms of religious gatherings, the Palace official said that it will be again limited to 30 percent venue capacity provided that there will be no objection from the local government unit (LGUs), as LGUs are given the discretion to allow higher venue capacity not exceeding 50 percent depending on conditions in their localities.

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