Bishop asks authorities to allow priests to visit parishes

Bishop Ruperto Santos said they are requesting for clerics to be issued quarantine passes for them to visit their parishes. (File Photo By CreakingCondor/Wikimedia commons, CC0)

MANILA – The Diocese of Balanga is asking authorities for its priests to be allowed to go around their parishes while the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) is in effect due to coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Bishop Ruperto Santos said they are requesting for clerics to be issued quarantine passes for them to visit their parishes.

“Here in Bataan with ECQ, we appeal and asked that our priests especially town parishes be given quarantine pass in their towns in order for them to go around the parishes,” he said in a statement.

“I also asked from the Provincial (authorities) for me to go around Bataan,” the Catholic prelate added.

Santos also thanked the local government unit (LGU) and assured that the church is one with them in serving the people.

“Here we are partners, cooperating and collaborating for the common good of our people. We work hand in hand,” he said.

“It is only the doors of the churches which are closed. But our priests here are mandated to go out to help and be of service especially to the elderly. I asked them to be visible,” the Balanga bishop added.

Since the implementation of the ECQ last month, Church activities including public masses on the island have been suspended.

The faithful are encouraged to visit social accounts of their diocese for online live streaming of Eucharistic Celebrations.

The original schedule of the end of the one-month ECQ is on April 12, but President Rodrigo Duterte extended it until the end of the month.

The Luzon-wide quarantine was implemented last March 17 to contain the spread of Covid-19.