Two more dioceses in Metro Manila have suspended the public celebration of Masses to support the urgent plea of medical frontliners and health workers for a "time out" amid the increasing COVID-19 cases in the country.
Parañaque Bishop Jesse Mercado on Sunday announced the suspension of all public liturgical celebrations in his diocese from Aug. 3 to 14.
"In all the parishes of the Diocese of Parañaque, we shall suspend all public liturgical celebrations from Aug. 3 to 14, 2020. Live-streamed Masses must continue to be available for our faithful in their homes," he said in a pastoral letter.
"Let this be our little contribution to the huge battle against this pandemic, and we will do this as our manifestation of support for our heroes, the frontliners," added Mercado.
Pasig Bishop Mylo Vergara also issued the same directive.
"In compliance with the government directive to once again revert back to modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ). I am suspending all public celebration of Masses and other public religious activities in the entire Diocese of Pasig from Aug. 4 until Aug. 14," Vergara said in a pastoral letter dated Aug. 3.
"This temporary suspension may not have an impact on the overall COVID-19 numbers but this is our proactive response to be in solidarity with the government, our dear doctors and medical frontliners," added Vergara.
Despite the suspension, he said, online celebrations will continue as he urged the faithful to monitor the schedules in the social media accounts of their parishes.
"We thank all our medical frontliners for their selfless commitment and dedicated service. Let us support them morally and spiritually through our prayers and sacrifices," Vergara said.
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila and the Diocese of Cubao had also suspended their public liturgical services from Aug. 3 to 14 as a response to the call of the medical frontliners.
The Diocese of Balanga will also revert to the live streaming of Masses for public safety as COVID cases in Bataan are still prevalent.
"We desire public safety. Our priority is other’s well-being and their swift and uneventful recovery. We do not want to have regrets in the end. Life is more important and valuable. We want everyone to live and thrive," Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos said in a pastoral directive.
"Because of these, we are, once again, closing the doors of the Church and instead, will revert to live streaming of the celebration of the Holy Masses from Aug. 4 until the 16th," he added.