Two dioceses in Bohol suspend masses to prevent virus spread starting today

By J. Jala | 02:10 PM March 18, 2020

The dioceses of Tagbilaran and Talibon have announced the cancellation of all masses starting today, March 18, as an answer to the government’s call for help in implementing precautionary measures to safeguard the people against further transmission of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).In a joint announcement by Tagbilaran Bishop Alberto Uy and Talibon Bishop Patrick Daniel Parcon, said all masses, including anticipated masses will not be celebrated until further notice.The faithful are encouraged to pray and to follow the celebrations on TV, radio and Facebook, and may still offer their intentions through private masses.Priests are also to celebrate private masses alone or with one server.READ THE FULL STATEMENT: FROM THE OFFICES OF THE BISHOPS OF THE DIOCESES OF TAGBILARAN AND TALIBONPASTORAL LETTER FOR THE FAITHFUL OF THE PROVINCE OF BOHOL IN RESPONSE TO THE CALL OF THE GOVERNMENT
TO PREVENT THE DISPERSION OF COVID-19“Behold, I will bring to my people health and healing, and I will reveal to them abundance of prosperity and truth” (Jer. 33:6).Our dear People of God in the Province of Bohol,May the peace of mind and heart that only God can give be with us all.In a manner that our generation has never witnessed before, we are living at a time of crisis brought about by the covid-19 virus that has spread throughout the world like lightning. More than a hundred fifty thousand people have already been infected, and more than five thousand eight hundred have already died. Here in the Philippines, more than a hundred and forty have been tested positive, and death has already claimed twelve. Every single day, the number added to those who are infected and those who perish is horrifying. As the enormity of the problem tempts people to give up and lose hope, we turn to the Almighty, because for us who firmly believe, “Nothing is impossible with God” (Lk. 1:37). There are many among us who say, “Why should we be afraid? Is the virus more powerful than God?” On account of this mindset, there are people who object to the precautions that are being proposed or undertaken. Our brothers and sisters in the Lord, while indeed Scripture says, “Everything is possible for those who believe” (cf. Mk. 9:23), it also exhorts that “Faith without works is dead” (cf. James 2:17). God has blessed us with intellect and foresight so that we can address our problems rationally. We cannot simply close our eyes as we confront our difficulties, and entrust everything to the kind of faith that is blind. Even St. Anselm would say, “Faith finds a way to understand” (Fides quaerens intellectum).This having been said, even when it pains us to deprive you of the sacraments, but given the seriousness of the threat before us, we, your Bishops of the Dioceses of Tagbilaran and Talibon, having submitted ourselves under the guidance of the Holy Spirit in discernment, and having heard the assessment of the situation by authorities from the local government and the Department of Health, have decided that beginning March 18, Wednesday, there will no longer be public celebrations of the Holy Eucharist inside our churches and chapels. This directive will remain in force for an indefinite period of time, until things are deemed to have returned to normalcy. This is to ensure that “social distancing” is enforced, and consequently, the dispersion of the virus is avoided. While public masses are suspended, we are asking our priests to continue to celebrate the Eucharist in private, inside our churches, even in the absence of a congregation. We are also temporarily dispensing the faithful of the entire province from the obligation to attend mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation. To the extent that it is viable, priests are enjoined to utilize the various instruments of mass media like radio, television and Facebook Live so that the faithful inside their homes can follow and unite themselves, in a prayerful and worthy manner, with the celebration of the Eucharist. Insofar as the actual reception of the Body of Christ is not possible at the moment, the faithful can make an act of spiritual communion by making the following prayer:
“My 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. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.”Our dear sons and daughters in the Lord, as your fathers in the faith, we assure you that our sole intention is to guarantee the health and well-being of all by taking responsible steps to avert the spread of the virus. We do not want to deprive you of the grace(s) of the sacrament. We must, however, take proactive steps before the situation gets out of control and leads to irreversible harm. As it is often said, “Prevention is better than cure”. As Filipinos and Boholanos, the present imperative is for us to prevent the spread of the virus as effectively as we can. If the bigger nations like China, Italy, South Korea and the United States, despite their vast resources and advanced technology, are struggling to contain the problem, we have even more reasons to worry in the face of this serious threat given our limitations. Even as we are unable to come to Mass, we are strongly encouraged to pray inside our homes as a family. Church bells will be tolled at 12:00 noon and at 8:00 in the evening, signaling the recitation of the Oratio Imperata in our churches with the use of public address systems (read: trompa) and exhorting everyone to participate inside their respective homes. To pray for safety and protection, all families are earnestly requested to say the rosary after the Oratio Imperata at 8:00 in the evening. In the spirit of Lent, let us accompany our prayers with acts of penance and works of charity. Echoing the invitation of Pope Francis, we hope that our “social distancing” may not degenerate into a complete lack of concern for those who need our help. We ask our priests, while exercising prudent care for their own safety and in cooperation with local government units, to make sure that the Church remains a refuge for those who are in need, especially in making available the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. In the spirit of charity, we exhort everyone to avoid “panic buying” as it promotes undue and selfish concern for the self while being blind to the needs of others. Finally, let us avoid coming together in large numbers and groups as this may potentially spread infection. Instead, we devote more time and attention to our families inside our homes. Our concern for the welfare of others is our way of manifesting our love for them.Like any storm, all trials shall come to pass with God’ assistance, and through the intercession of Mary and our patron saints. We will not lose hope. We move forward, the Church in Bohol, because those who persevere to the end will be blessed.
Sincerely yours in the service of the Lord,Most Reverend ALBERTO S. UY
Bishop of TagbilaranMost Reverend PATRICK DANIEL Y. PARCON
Bishop of Talibon