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Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breaki...7/Church-thinking-of-banning-holding-of-hands
DUE TO SWINE FLU SCARE
Church thinking of banning ?holding of hands?
By Dona Pazzibugan
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 20:17:00 05/23/2009
MANILA, Philippines--Some Catholic Church leaders are thinking of temporarily banning the holding of hands during Mass and the kissing or touching of statues as a precaution against spreading the influenza A (H1N1) virus or swine flu.
The Catholic Bishops? Conference of the Philippines has not issued a nationwide advisory about changes in Sunday services since there is no widespread outbreak, said spokesperson Msgr. Pedro Quitorio.
?We leave it to the dioceses to take precautionary measures or steps,? Quitorio added.
Fr. Genardo Diwa, head of Manila Archdiocese?s Ministry on Liturgical Affairs, said they might discourage the holding of hands during Mass as well as the kissing or touching of the images of saints and other objects of veneration to prevent transmission of the flu virus.
The Department of Health on Thursday reported that a 10-year-old Filipino girl who had traveled to the US and Canada was found positive for the novel flu virus, making her the country?s first confirmed H1N1 case.
The DOH has advised all Filipinos to take precautionary measures like frequent washing of hands and ?social distancing,? such as avoiding handshakes and social kissing.
On Church services, Quitorio said, joining hands while singing or reciting the Lord?s Prayer during the Mass is not officially prescribed by the Church.
Quitorio said even without the threat of swine flu, the practice is not required.
In 2003, during the scare over the spread of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), the Church revised some of its practices for Holy Communion. The priests were advised to no longer place the wafer on the tongue of the churchgoer, but rather to place it on his or her hand.
The H1N1 virus is transmitted through respiratory droplets released into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes which another person may inhale.
Quitorio said he hoped the DOH would disclose the whereabouts of confirmed H1N1 cases so they could respond appropriately.
?They should announce the true score for us to create the proper response without creating panic. They should specify the area for a realistic response in the dioceses,? he said.
DUE TO SWINE FLU SCARE
Church thinking of banning ?holding of hands?
By Dona Pazzibugan
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 20:17:00 05/23/2009
MANILA, Philippines--Some Catholic Church leaders are thinking of temporarily banning the holding of hands during Mass and the kissing or touching of statues as a precaution against spreading the influenza A (H1N1) virus or swine flu.
The Catholic Bishops? Conference of the Philippines has not issued a nationwide advisory about changes in Sunday services since there is no widespread outbreak, said spokesperson Msgr. Pedro Quitorio.
?We leave it to the dioceses to take precautionary measures or steps,? Quitorio added.
Fr. Genardo Diwa, head of Manila Archdiocese?s Ministry on Liturgical Affairs, said they might discourage the holding of hands during Mass as well as the kissing or touching of the images of saints and other objects of veneration to prevent transmission of the flu virus.
The Department of Health on Thursday reported that a 10-year-old Filipino girl who had traveled to the US and Canada was found positive for the novel flu virus, making her the country?s first confirmed H1N1 case.
The DOH has advised all Filipinos to take precautionary measures like frequent washing of hands and ?social distancing,? such as avoiding handshakes and social kissing.
On Church services, Quitorio said, joining hands while singing or reciting the Lord?s Prayer during the Mass is not officially prescribed by the Church.
Quitorio said even without the threat of swine flu, the practice is not required.
In 2003, during the scare over the spread of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), the Church revised some of its practices for Holy Communion. The priests were advised to no longer place the wafer on the tongue of the churchgoer, but rather to place it on his or her hand.
The H1N1 virus is transmitted through respiratory droplets released into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes which another person may inhale.
Quitorio said he hoped the DOH would disclose the whereabouts of confirmed H1N1 cases so they could respond appropriately.
?They should announce the true score for us to create the proper response without creating panic. They should specify the area for a realistic response in the dioceses,? he said.