BALANGA CITY — All Catholic priests in the Diocese of Balanga decided to waive their allowances for two months in favor of diocesan employees and personnel.
Bishop Ruperto Santos announced this. The diocese is composed of all parishes in 11 towns and a city in Bataan.
“With these present difficult and uncertain economic situations, we priests in the diocese have decided to forego our monthly stipends in the months of March and April and some on April to May for the sake of our personnel,” the prelate said.
“It is our way of assisting them and helping them in this very troubling and trying times. To forego our monthly allowances is to care for them and to thank them for their services,” Santos added.
He said that during his term as Balanga prelate, they have discussed and decided to adapt the standard living allowance for all priests in the diocese. Beginning 2012, all priests, including the bishop, have been receiving the same amount as monthly living allowance.
He said that Covid-19 could be seen as their true to life Way of the Cross.
“But whenever we fall, we will rise and God rises us up. Along our Way of the Cross, there will be many Veronica and Simon of Cyrene to wipe our tears and carry our loads. Let us all be Veronica and Simon to others,” the bishop said.
The Way of the Cross or the 14 Stations of the Cross is one form of devotion of Catholics during the Lenten Season. No church rites during this year’s Holy Week will be held in Bataanbecause of the existing enhanced community quarantine.
Holy Masses are held twice during Sundays at the St. Joseph Cathedral and some parishes but only the priest, lectors, and some church employees are allowed to attend. Masses can bewatched through livestreaming.
