25 March 2021
We, the Council of the Laity of the Archdiocese of Manila, composed of lay leaders from the 86 parishes and communities in the cities of Manila, Makati, Pasay, San Juan and Mandaluyong, recognize that the CoVid-19 pandemic has entered into a more dangerous phase with new highly transmissible variants and a rising number of CoVid-19 cases. We support the Government’s efforts to both stem and reverse the rising tide of infections as well as the valiant efforts of our health workers, our heroic frontlinersin our common battle against CoVid-19, to care for those who have fallen victim to the virus.
Our support can best be seen in our strict adherence to the health protocols set by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) in our celebration of the Holy Mass and other liturgical activities since the start of the pandemic. We appreciate that our Administrator Bishop Broderick S. Pabillo has consistently consulted with our parish priests and local communities regarding measures to be taken under the principle of subsidiarity to ensure cooperation. In light of this, we strongly dispute that our religious gatherings have been “superspreaders” of the CoVid-19 virus as seen in the recent celebration of the Feasts of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo and of the Sto. Niño in Pandacan and Tondo which did not result in any “spike” in the number of CoVid-19 cases,
While we understand the urgency of decision making in times of crisis, we respectfully request our government officials to consult and listen to stakeholders who would be affected by decisions prior to implementation. We take as an example the Catholic church’s observance of Holy Week, especially the Holy Triduum of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday. This is the most important celebration in Christianity, made even more significant this year by the national commemoration of 500 Years of Christianity in our land.
We support our Archdiocesan Apostolic Administrator, His Excellency, Bishop Broderick Pabillo’s discernment on his pastoral instruction “We Worship The Lord”, especially the reminder to follow the principle of subsidiarity to let parish priest, in consultation with lay leaders, to decide on matters of religious activities to celebrate this special occasion, with an ensured strict compliance to existing health protocols at all times.
We pray in earnest that the Catholic faithful unceasingly extend their hands to our impoverished brethren, those who are suffering from Covid 19 and those who are comforting them, as a way of makingour celebration of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of our Lord a living testimony of God’s goodness and love for His creation.
We seek God’s Divine Mercy through intercession of the Most Blessed Mary.
St. Joseph, pray for our land.
St Lorenzo Ruiz, Pray for Us
St Pedro Calungsod, Pray for us.
Followed by signatures of the Council of the Laity of the Archdiocese of Manila
