Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the Department of Health (DOH) advised against kissing altars and crucifixions as Holy Week approaches.
The Holy Week is from Sunday, April 10 to Saturday, April 16.
“Itong virus na ito, alam po natin that it can be transmitted through droplet infection na maari na makapagpasa pasa… kung tayo ay hahalik sa isang puon na hinalikan paulit-ulit ng ibang tao,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said.
(We know that this virus can be spread via droplet infection, which can be passed on… if we kiss an altar that has been kissed repeatedly by others.)
According to her, the Health Department advised and asked churches to halt the practice temporarily.
“Meron naman po tayong mga iba pang bagay o ano ba ways kung paano tayo makakapag show ng ating devotion sa ating mga santo, sa ating mga pinupuntahang simbahan,” Vergeire said.
(There are other ways we can show our devotion to the saints, our churches.)
“Sana po itong practice na ito maiwasan para hindi na tayo magkaroon ng pagtaas ng kaso kung saka-sakali dahil sa practice na ito,” the DOH official added.
(Hopefully, this practice can be avoided to prevent an increase in cases.)
DOH warns public vs. kissing of altars, crucifixions during Holy Week
The DOH also discouraged Crucifixions since they can cause severe harm to a person.
“Naiintindihan natin ‘yung ating mga paniniwala, ‘yung ating religion, and naniniwala po tayo na kanya-kanya po ang bawat tao sa kanilang relihiyon at kung paano gusto nilang ipakita ang kanilang pagsamba sa ating Panginoon,” said Vergeire.
(We understand that we have our beliefs, our faith. And we believe we each have a particular way of worshipping God.)
Crucifixions, she cautioned, can result in blood loss, tetanus, and other illnesses.
“We request and we recommend no, a-advise po natin sa ating mga kababayan, kung maiiwasan naman po, maari naman po tayo, katulad ng sabi ko, sumamba sa ating Panginoon sa ibang paraan,” Vergeire said.
(We are advising our countrymen to avoid this. Like I said, we can worship God in other ways.)
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