Manila Cathedral to tap sign language interpreter for Mass

“A simultaneous interpreter will also be present in the cathedral in all our liturgical celebrations,” the Manila Cathedral said in a Facebook post on Wednesday. (File photo: The Manila Cathedral/Facebook)

MANILA — Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) will now be able to fully participate in all liturgical celebrations at the Manila Cathedral, which will soon have a sign language interpreter.

“A simultaneous interpreter will also be present in the cathedral in all our liturgical celebrations,” the Manila Cathedral said in a Facebook post on Wednesday.

The inclusion of an interpreter in Masses, which will be done with the help of the Archdiocesan Ministry on Persons with Disabilities, would allow the active participation of PWDs.

The Cathedral, under the Archdiocese of Manila, assured PWDs that the church is always open to them.

“Dear brothers and sisters from the PWD community, you are very welcome to our Mother Church, our home,” it added.

Aside from providing an interpreter during Mass, the cathedral noted that TV Maria, a national Catholic television channel broadcasting in the country, will likewise have its own interpreter.

“To facilitate full and active participation of everyone, TV Maria, through the help of the Archdiocesan Ministry on Persons with Disabilities, will now include a sign language interpreter on their social media live streaming,” the Cathedral said.

The private channel, owned by TV Maria Foundation Philippines and airs 24 hours a day, can be seen on major and provincial cable operators, and via online live streaming.

According to Republic Act 7277 or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, PWDs are defined as “those suffering from restriction of different abilities, as a result of a mental, physical or sensory impairment, to perform an activity in the manner or within the range considered normal for a human being.”