SOCIAL DISTANCING IN MASS: The Diocese of Borongan in Eastern Samar has placed yellow tape on the church pews so churchgoers would be at arm鈥檚 length from each other, amid the spread of the new coronavirus in the country. (Photo by ALREN BERONIO / Contributor)
They may disagree on issues like evolution, but not on social distancing.
Science and religion have found common ground in pursuing social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Christian churches across the country on Sunday held online Masses and services to comply with the Department of Health鈥檚 advisory for people to practice social distancing so as to contain the rapid spread of the new coronavirus.
The faithful heard Masses in their homes.
Isabela Bishop David William Antonio told parishioners that the cancellation of Masses with large numbers of parishioners in attendance was the 鈥渕oral obligation鈥� of the Church in line with efforts of health and government officials to contain the virus.
Yellow 鈥榗aution tapes鈥�
鈥淭he recommendation [of the Department of Health] on social distancing should be taken seriously,鈥� Antonio said. 鈥淎voiding large gatherings is a proven and effective measure in preventing and lessening transmission of the virus.鈥�
The Diocese of Borongan in Eastern Samar province has implemented its own version of social distancing.
Yellow 鈥渃aution tapes鈥� have been placed on pews of churches so that people are seated apart from each other.
The temporary seating arrangement imposed by Borongan Bishop Crispin Varquez is intended to ensure the safety of those who attend Masses in all churches in the diocese.
From a capacity of 10, each pew now accommodates three people during Masses. 鈥淎nd we are happy that this seating arrangement, which is in compliance with the social distancing measure, is positively welcomed by the parishioners,鈥欌�� said Fr. Neil Tenefrancia, assistant director of the diocesan commission on mass media of the Borongan Diocese.
In Makati City, Mila Salvador, 62, gathered her grandchildren in the living room and heard Mass aired live on a local television network.
Although convenient and comfortable, Salvador said she still preferred going to church than hearing Mass on TV.
鈥淚 feel it鈥檚 incomplete without receiving the Communion,鈥� she said.
Fr. Cris Magbitang, who cele颅brates Mass at the Santo Ni帽o de Taguig Parish, said a major downside of hearing Mass online or on TV was having only a spiritual communion.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 actually receive the bread [and wine],鈥� he said.
Magbitang said it was also harder to get the faithful鈥檚 attention when they hear Mass on TV. 鈥淏ut of course, we understand that the government is doing these things for people to be safe and healthy.鈥�
Dos and don鈥檛s
Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo, the apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Manila, released on Sunday a pastoral instruction on how the faithful could make the most out of the online Masses.
Pabillo advised the faithful not to hear the Mass while drinking coffee. He said it would be better to refer to the Catholic Bible Readings Guide before the Mass 鈥渢o prepare yourselves to hear them better once they are proclaimed in the Eucharist.鈥�
鈥淗ave a few moments, too, to think what you are to thank the Lord for and what to offer to him this Mass. Remember that you are praying this Eucharist with many other fellow Catholics not only in your parish but all over the world,鈥� Pabillo said.
鈥淪tay in a reverent gesture throughout the Mass, standing or sitting up properly. It would be good if the whole family in the house joins together in the Mass. Do not just watch the Mass. Join in it with your prayers, responses and singing,鈥� he added.
At the time of Communion, Pabillo advised the faithful to make the spiritual communion.
LIVE STREAMING: Catholic priest Hans Magdurulang celebrates Sunday Mass at the chapel of San Felipe Neri Parochial School in Mandaluyong City as seen online. (Photo by GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE / Philippines)
He said one could pray the prayer attributed to St. Alphonsus de Liguori: 鈥淢y Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.鈥�
At the end of the online Mass, take some moment of silence to read again the Scripture and reflect how, enlightened by the homily, you can live God鈥檚 Word that day, Pabillo said.
鈥淒o not worry. This situation of not being able to come to Church for the Mass is temporary,鈥� he added.
The bishop himself celebrated Mass that was live-streamed. 鈥淚s the Lord in our midst or not? Is the Lord here in the time of the coronavirus disease? Has the Lord forsaken us? Let us trust that God is here and guiding our lives and history,鈥� he said at the Crypt Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows in Manila Cathedral.
First time
On the campus of the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City, Destiny Church Senior Pastor Leo Carlo Panlilio encouraged people not to panic and trust more in God before conducting the worship service without its thousand regular church members in attendance for the first time.
Instead, most of the regular churchgoers were at home tuning to it livestream. A handful of church leaders were present to play music, sing and worship and give announcements.
In Pasig City, church members of the Christ鈥檚 Commission Fellowship (CCF) also remained at home while the service was filmed at the CCF Main Hall, with only a few members doing the worship and the the rest of the congregation from all the church鈥檚 satellites tuning online.
In Cagayan province, social distancing was observed in parishes where there were fewer people hearing Mass.
Fredel Agatep, parish priest of Our Lady of Piat Basilica Minore in Tuguegarao City, said parishioners had been cooperative in undertaking public health measures to prevent or slow down the spread of the virus.
He said Catholic churches in Piat town continued to hold Masses but churchgoers were subjected to temperature screening. Archbishop Ricardo Baccay of Archdiocese of Tuguegarao has issued a circular telling prelates to use their own 鈥渄iscretion and prudence鈥� in celebrating scheduled and daily Masses.
In Kalinga province, Bishop Prudencio Andaya said Masses would be celebrated but with some restrictions such as holding and shaking of hands.
Andaya said the churches 鈥渟hould be kept open so that those who need to pray and seek prayerful moments may find solace and strength in these trying times.鈥� INQ