Manila archdiocese cancels all masses until March 20

March 13, 2020

With the Philippine government raising Code Red sub-level 2 due to the  Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Archdiocese of Manila Friday ordered the cancellation of all masses until March 20.

In his Pastoral Letter, Manila Archdiocese Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo said all are dispensed from going to Mass on Sunday, March 15.

"In the Archdiocese of Manila, I dispense all the faithful from the obligation of going to Mass this Sunday," said Pabillo. 

"There will be no public celebration of the Holy Mass and no public activities in all the churches in the Archdiocese for seven days, starting Saturday, March 14, till Friday, March 20," he added. 

Pabillo said the decision is pursuant to the government enjoining every institution to avoid large gatherings to curb the spread of the virus. 

"I recognize that this may impact many faithful and priests but let us do this with the spirit of sacrifice for the good of all... We heed this call not with panic but with care for charity to others and the common good," said Pabillo. 

Pabillo said from March 14 onwards, all bells of Manila churches should be rung every 12 noon and 8 pm to call on people to pray the Oratio Imperata to fight the virus.

He also said that families are encouraged to gather together at 8 pm to pray the rosary and read the Scriptures as a family for divine protection. 

Pabillo urged all parishes and places of prayer to be open all day so people may come and find solace in silent prayer, but added sanitizers must be available at the entrances and the churches should be regularly cleaned. 

Pabillo said priests must be available to visit the sick and minister to them.

He called on the faithful to stop being selfish in a time of crisis and consider becoming more charitable. 

"Hence, we avoid panic buying. We should not consider only our needs but also the needs of others. Driven by self-preservation, we can easily fall into selfishness in moments of fear, thus we think only of ourselves. Let us also think of the needs of others, especially of the poor, who are the most vulnerable," said Pabillo. DMS