An official of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said minor adjustments will be put in place in the celebration of Holy Week activities due to the threat of Covid-19.
Father Jerome Secillano, CBCP Public Affairs executive secretary, said one such adjustment is in the procession of images.
"The CBCP for one recommended that procession of images be done using motorized vehicles instead of the usual 'carozas' being pushed by devotees. This is to avoid people from being too close to each other which may cause transmission of the virus," he said in an interview.
Secillano said the "pabasa," Way of the Cross, procession, Visita Iglesia and other liturgical activities will be observed but with a strict reminder that "parishes and parishioners still adhere to minimum health protocols."
"The situation may appear to be normal but church officials are still wary of the dangers posed by Covid-19, hence, minor adjustments are in place when celebrating Holy Week activities," he said.
CBCP President Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David earlier also called on the faithful to continue following the health protocols.
“Even though the pandemic has subsided, let us not let our guard down. Let us continue following the health protocols so that we can finally defeat this pandemic,” he said.
“We must continue wearing face masks and observe physical distance as a way to care for one another,” David added.