MANILA – The Archdiocese of Manila is opening its churches for the faithful who would like to avail of the sacrament of confession.
In a pastoral instruction released on Tuesday, Manila Apostolic Administrator Broderick Pabillo said it is about time to let the public to make a confession as there are safety precautions in place in churches.
“Because of the continuing threat of the (coronavirus disease 2019), there are still people who are hesitant to come to church, much more to come to confession. But we should not allow fear to dictate on our actions,” he said. “We always have to take necessary precautions, but there are important matters of our life that we have to attend to even with the presence of Covid-19, and confession is one of them.”
He said parishes have been directed to provide time and identify areas where the confessions can be conducted that are both safe for the priest and the parishioner.
“So I invite all the faithful to come to avail of the great mercy of God that is poured on us by the sacrament of reconciliation. The parish are instructed to set aside time for confession and to make provisions for places for confessions that are hygienically safe for both the priest and the penitent,” Pabillo added.
The public is asked to make an appointment at the office of the parish for confession.
“Each one may also make an appointment in the parish office for confession and the priests will readily accommodate you. Confession cannot be done online. It has to be done personally. So I invite all to take time to receive this sacrament in the coming weeks,” the Catholic prelate added.
In the past several months, church activities particularly the holding public masses are only allowed online.
Religious gatherings are now allowed at 10 percent seating capacity under the general community quarantine.