The Archdiocese of Cebu is holding consultations on whether to allow non-Catholics who have died of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) to be buried in its cemeteries.
In a circular issued on Thursday, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said the plan to allow Filipinos who are not Catholics to be buried in Catholic cemeteries is an act of charity amid the pandemic.
“We are all aware of the rising Covid-19 cases in Metro Cebu as well as in the province recently. Sadly, some of these severe cases have led to the untimely deaths of our loved ones and consequently, affecting the availability of burial slots in our cemeteries,” Palma said.
He, however, said the plan should be thoroughly studied.
“However, since this privileged expression of goodwill is given in consideration of the extreme difficulty in giving a decent and dignified burial place for our dear departed during these pandemic times, only time will tell, after prudent pastoral discernment, when this permission may be abrogated,” he added.
He said proper consultation must be made first with competent ecclesiastical authorities to determine other issues and unforeseen circumstances that may arise regarding the matter.
Source: Philippines News Agency
