Lumaktaw sa pangunahing content

Govt further eases restrictions for religious gatherings in GCQ areas

MORE faithfuls will be allowed to attend religious gatherings in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ), Malacañang said on Friday, after the government approved further easing of health restrictions in churches and similar places of worship.

Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said religious gatherings with attendance of up to 50 percent of a venue’s capacity would be allowed starting February 15 in areas under GCQ.

“The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021, relaxed restrictions on mass gatherings for religious activities in areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) effective Feb.15, 2021,” Roque said in a statement.

“Specifically, religious gatherings in GCQ areas shall be allowed up to 50 percent of the seating or venue capacity,” he added.

The IATF’s latest decision was reached following the plea of some Catholic Church officials to increase the allowed capacity for religious events with Ash Wednesday set on 17 February.

Previously, public religious worship was allowed to a maximum of 30 percent in areas classified under GCQ such as Metro Manila and 50 percent of the venue capacity in areas under modified general community quarantine or MGCQ.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei Nograles has said that the existing health and safety protocols would be followed in the observance of Ash Wednesday.

“Kumbaga the same rule should apply this year as in last year kasi yung health and safety protocols natin ay pareho pa rin (The same rule implemented last year should apply this year because our health and safety protocols remain in effect),” said Nograles, co-chairman of the IATF.

As a preventive measure against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), Catholic prelates in 2020 sprinkled the blessed ash on devotees’ heads instead of the traditional marking of a cross on the forehead.

The Archdiocese of Manila, in Circular 2021-05, said Catholic faithful would be allowed to burn palms at home and use the ashes to sprinkle on family members on Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of Lent.

Parishes that will have difficulty finding old blessed palm branches for this year’s Ash Wednesday could also use dried leaves of plants or trees as an alternative, based on the circular.

The palm branches blessed during the previous year’s Palm Sunday mass are traditionally donated by parishioners to their parish.

Ash Wednesday begins the 40-day season of Lent, when Catholics pray, fast, and give alms to purify their lives.

About 80 percent of the Philippine population belongs to the Catholic Church, and millions of people in this former Spanish colony troop to churches during Lent.


Source: ManilaTimes
Mga etiketa:

Mga Komento

Mag-post ng isang Komento

Mga sikat na post sa blog na ito

How Vieira is transforming Palace

A cursory glance at the Premier League table suggests little has changed for Crystal Palace this season. In fact, with only one win from their opening seven games, they are three points worse off than they were at the same stage of the last campaign. And yet, despite middling results, the mood around the club is one of renewed optimism. Roy Hodgson provided stability but Patrick Vieira is striving for something more. It only takes a visit to Selhurst Park to see how supporters are responding. Last month’s 3-0 victory over Tottenham, played in a feverish atmosphere in the south-London sunshine, offered a tantalising glimpse of what the future might look like. In fact, the third goal, scored by Odsonne Edouard after fine work from Michael Olise and Connor Gallagher, was a neat encapsulation of the club’s change of direction under Vieira. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Watch highlights from Crystal Palace’s 3-0 win over Tottenham Palace were th
Mag-post ng isang Komento
Magbasa nang higit pa

TikTok donates $300,000 for typhoon victims in PH

Over the course of two weeks, two devastating back to back typhoons hit the Philippines. On November 1st, Super Typhoon Rolly (Goni) the strongest typhoon ever recorded in recent history struck the southern region of the Philippines. An estimated two million Filipinos have been affected, many of whom lost their homes and livelihoods. Ten days later, Typhoon Ulysses (Vamco) swept through many of the same provinces previously devastated by Typhoon Rolly, including Metro Manila and parts of Central Luzon leaving widespread flooding and power outages. Many areas are still struggling to recover from the aftermath of these calamities. Homes and livelihood across various provinces were lost to floods, strong winds and rain. LGUs and other organizations continue to mobilize and provide assistance to all who were affected by these typhoons, but many are still in desperate need of help. In line with its mission to inspire creativity and bring joy, TikTok has pledged to donate $300,000 (approxi
Mag-post ng isang Komento
Magbasa nang higit pa

‘Ang Dating Daan’ founder Eli Soriano, 73

ELISEO “Eli” Soriano, televangelist and founder of the Members Church of God International, also known as “Ang Dating Daan” (The Old Path), died early Friday morning in Brazil. He was 73 years old. “It is with deep sadness, yet with full faith in the Almighty, that we announce the passing of our beloved and one and only Bro. Eliseo “Eli” Soriano — a faithful preacher, brother, father, and grandfather to many,” The group said in its Facebook page. There were no details on the cause of his death. Soriano started his preaching in Guagua, Pampanga, and later started his media evangelism career on radio in 1980 and on television in 1983. He is known for his method of using biblical expositions under the “Itanong mo kay Soriano (Ask Soriano)” television program, where his audience can get a chance to ask him questions, as well as for his “revelations” of doctrinal errors in other religions. He was also known to debate with various religious leaders and sects, especially against the infl
Mag-post ng isang Komento
Magbasa nang higit pa