Bishop Ruperto Santos in a talk with local mediamen. Photo by Ernie Esconde
BALANGA CITY — Bishop Ruperto Santos on Monday issued pastoral directives to all priests in the diocese of Balanga in relation to the celebration of the Holy Eucharist while the province is under the general community quarantine.
Under the diocese are parishes in the towns of Dinalupihan, Hermosa, Orani, Samal, Abucay, Pilar, Orion, Limay, Mariveles, Bagac and Morong and the City of Balanga.
He told the priests to adhere to the orders of the national Inter-agency task force to limit to only 10 people those attending the Holy Mass, to make it very private, and only hold live streaming from parish churches.
The prelate instructed that the churchgoers must observe proper social distancing and wear face masks and for priests to strongly discourage people ages 60 and above and 20 and below to attend the Holy Mass.
“It is better to be safe than sorry. Our priority is their safety,” Santos said.
He urged all priests to the best of their capacity to continue to be more patient, persevering, and proactive in their pastoral ministries for the benefit of their flock.
“Their home is now their domestic church. God is withus and resides in every dwelling place. Let them be in communion with God along with the families in the confinement of their homes,” Santos said.
The Bataan bishop said it was imperative for them to take preventive measures and adopt precautionary attitudes for their flock: “We all want to survive this pandemic and live. We can surpass these turbulent times.”
Santos reminded the priests that the Liturgical Guidelines on the Celebrations of Holy Eucharist and other Sacraments he earlier issued will only take effect during the “new normal.”
