CIRCULAR
Prtcl. No. 003 s. 2021
TO : ALL THE CLERGY AND THOSE WORKING IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PALO
RE : MANDATE OF THE ARCHBISHOP ON THE SURGE OF COVID CASES
Reverend Fathers/Msgri:
Greetings!
I heartily commend your pastoral zeal in trying to really reach out to the people in the work of evangelization in spite and despite the situation that we are in during this time of the pandemic. As you would notice, there is an alarming surge of cases of COVID-19 in the country and more particularly here in Region 8. Unfortunately, a number of our brother priests have already been counted amongst those infected with the virus.
In line with this, I admonish you to consider this situation very seriously. Your health and safety are of utmost importance in this regard. And of course, notwithstanding, the health and safety of those people working for the Church and our parishioners. Hence, no matter what you believe, in relation with COVID 19, in the name of charity, please be conscientious enough about the situation. Remember, this is not so much about ourselves, but this is all for the Church. We cannot afford to lose a brother priest. Much more, we cannot allow the people to suffer because of us.
I hereby, STRONGLY MANDATE the following:
- Obey and observe the necessary PROTOCOLS (e.g., wearing mask) imposed by the health authorities especially in those places (i.e., the Church) where people are gathered;
- If any of you gets sick please submit yourselves and seek medical attention.
- We should NOT be instruments of confusion amongst the people. Rather, as priests, we should be heralds of unity and always promote the common good of the people specially in dealing with the pandemic.
Given this 23rd day of June in the year of our Lord 2021, at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center and Chancery, Palo, Leyte.
(SGD) ♱ MOST REV. JOHN F. DU, D.D.
Archbishop of Palo