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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Due to COVID-19 threat, confessions by faithful should be written

Due to COVID-19 threat, confessions by faithful should be written

Published Feb 25, 2020 12:00 am
By Leslie Ann Aquino Due to the coronavirus disease (COVID 19), the faithful in the Diocese of Caloocan may confess to a priest by writing their sins on paper. Bishop Pablo Virgilio David via CBCP News / Manila Bulletin Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David (CBCP / MANILA BULLETIN) Caloocan Bishop Pablo David said penitents are allowed to confess their sins by writing them down on a sheet of paper and handing them personally to the priest after praying “Bless me, Father for I have sinned...” After “reading” their confession, he said the minister may ask the penitents some questions, give some admonition, recommend acts of penance, and give absolution verbally. David said the priest gives them back their notes for proper disposal afterward. During confessions, whether inside the confessional box or outside, priests and penitents are advised to wear protective masks. "Ideally, the penitent brings his or her own mask. Parishes should be ready to provide for those unable to bring their own," said David. As to the manner of receiving communion, it will remain optional: by the hand or straight to the tongue. The prelate released the additional instructions as Catholics observe the start of the Lenten season on February 26, Ash Wednesday, when the faithful have their foreheads marked with ashes as a sign of penance. But as a preventive measure against COVID-19, David said priests can sprinkle a pinch of dry ashes on the crown or the top of the head of parishioners instead of imposing wet ashes on their foreheads. The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines also made similar recommendations.
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