SOME SCHOOLS in the Archdiosese of Manila have been converted into shelters for the homeless and healthcare frontliners amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Among the schools that opened their doors were Malate Catholic School, Espiritu Santo Parochial School, Holy Trinity Academy and Paco Catholic School.
De La Salle University also let homeless people stay inside its gymnasium.
“We laud this gesture of our school directors to provide quarters to the homeless and street dwellers, and health workers where they can be safe and secure,” Manila apostolic administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo said.
CBCP President Archbishop Romulo Valles in a letter encouraged bishops and diocesan administrators to open their doors as temporary shelters for medical frontliners.
“As dioceses and parishes, can we start assisting them by providing facilities for them to go home to, some place for rest and sleep, and perhaps some meals – a second home for our dedicated medical frontliners – like some available buildings and rooms in our dioceses and parishes, for example, formation centers, retreat houses, and pastoral centers?” the letter read.
Archdiocese Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David announced that churches in the Archdiocese will open its doors as temporary shelters for medical frontliners.
The former Manila archbishop, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, called for a “great renewal” of spirituality and mission during the “Healing Rosary for the World” at the Pontificio Collegio Filippino in Rome last March 25.
“In these trying times, let us not forget, in the worst of times, there is great renewal. We hope that at the end of this Covid-19 pandemic, there will be a rebirth and resurgence of spirituality and mission,” said Tagle, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in Vatican.
The “Healing Rosary for the World” was part of the Church’s effort “for healing and protection for the world” amid the pandemic.
On the same day, Pope Francis led the praying of the Lord’s Prayer at St. Peter’s Basilica.
Pope Francis started the worldwide praying of the Holy Rosary for healing and protection last March 19.
As of March 27, the Philippines has recorded 803 Covid-19 cases while the death toll has reached 54.
The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases around the world has surpassed 500,000 as of this writing. Ma. Alena O. Castillo
