MANILA – The Diocese of Cavite urged the faithful to physically attend Masses in churches every Sunday.
In a circular letter, Bishop Reynaldo Evangelista said the public is encouraged to be present and participate in Masses especially on Sunday as the earlier Church order prohibiting them to attend Church activities due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) threat will soon be lifted.
“Please be advised that through this communication, the previous Decree on Dignation from Sunday Obligations of the faithful during the coronavirus 2019 pandemic issued on the 8 of July 2020 will soon be lifted officially. This will take effect on Palm Sunday, the 2 of April 2023,” the diocese said in a letter dated March 20 and made public Tuesday.
At the same time, the Catholic prelate reminded the people to continue observing the minimum health protocols as there are still cases of Covid-19 in the country.
“For this reason, the faithful are enjoined to be physically present and actively participate in all Sunday Eucharistic celebrations, while still observing minimum health protocols,” he said.
“This is in view of the weakening of the strain of the coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19), vaccination of the whole population, and the encouragement of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) for the faithful to return to Sunday masses in Churches,” Evangelista added.
In October 2022, the CBCP has released a circular urging the faithful to physically attend Sunday Masses in churches amid the weakening situation of the coronavirus pandemic.
Likewise, it reminded them to carefully observe health protocols for their protection against the virus. (PNA)