Look what the COVID-19 pandemic has led to.
The Archdiocese of Pampanga yesterday warned its flock against buying “holy disinfectant alcohol,” after it learned that some scrupulous individuals have been selling them to Filipinos who wish to protect themselves against the coronavirus.
San Fernando Archbishop Florentino Lavarias told news television show 24 Oras in English and Filipino, “We do not use holy alcohol during baptism. We use water because when we bless, it’s for the child being baptized.”
Read: PH Catholic Church pushes for resumption of masses during general community quarantine
“I don’t know for what reason [that is being sold] but there is no such thing as holy alcohol,” the priest added.
In a separate statement, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines also said that there is no truth to the rumor that it has replaced the holy water in churches with holy alcohol.
“It is fake news that during this time of the pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the church has replaced holy water with holy alcohol even if it has been temporarily set aside as we enter the church to prevent contamination,” the organization said.
The church has also received reports that entrepreneurs are now selling other stuff such as holy face mask, holy goggles, holy face shields, holy sanitizers, and even holy personal protective equipment. All of these are, of course, fake.
Religious activities, such as masses, have resumed in the Philippines, but strict social distancing is being followed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. COVID-19 is transmitted easily during crowded religious activities held in churches and mosques, like what happened in South Korea’s Shincheonji Church of Jesus and the Greenhills Masjid in San Juan, Metro Manila.
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