Manilla: Bishop issues order to prevent virus? spread

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Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakin...t-virus-spread

Bishop issues order to prevent virus? spread

By Norman Bordadora
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 04:12:00 06/06/2009


MANILA, Philippines?Priests in Manila have been informed that Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales would issue over the weekend a circular ordering that communion be received by the faithful only by hand and that the holding of hands during the singing of the ?Our Father? not be done, the archdiocese said Friday.

The instruction is in connection with measures meant to prevent the further spread of the A(H1N1) virus after the Department of Health confirmed four new cases, bringing the total of those who were infected in the country to 33 as of Friday.

The H1N1 is an influenza virus that could be transmitted through droplet infection and physical contact.

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Re: Manilla: Bishop issues order to prevent virus? spread

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/164299/A...ices-in-Manila

AH1N1 prompts 'altered' church services in Manila
06/06/2009 | 07:12 PM
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MANILA, Philippines ? The rise in the number of A(H1N1) cases has prompted the Manila archdiocese to alter some church services as a precautionary measure against the disease.

Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales ordered his priests to take precautionary measures to avoid the spread of A(H1N1), including banning close contact during services.

?In view of detected presence of the A(H1N1) virus in our country, Cardinal Rosales has ordered that for the meantime Communion be received by the faithful only by hand," Fr. Genardo Diwa, head of the Liturgical ministry of the Manila archdiocese, said in an advisory.

Excerpts of the advisory were posted on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines website (www.cbcpnews.com).

Diwa said other forms of close contacts like holding of hands will be discouraged inside churches. ?This is to avoid further inadvertent spread of the virus," he said.

There are now at least 33 confirmed A(H1N1) cases in the country, but the Department of Health is not yet keen on declaring a community outbreak. - GMANews.TV