Asia
Filipinos bowed their heads to be sprinkled instead of having a cross drawn on their foreheads to mark Ash Wednesday, as Asia's bastion of Catholicism guarded against the spread of coronavirus.
Catholic faithful wearing masks has ash sprinkled on their heads rather than drawn as a cross during an Ash Wednesday service in Manila AFP/Ted ALJIBE
Share this content
Bookmark
MANILA: Filipinos bowed their heads to be sprinkled instead of having a cross drawn on their foreheads to mark Ash Wednesday, as Asia's bastion of Catholicism guarded against the spread of coronavirus.
Leaders of the Philippine church urged priests to adapt the rite in order to reduce the risk of fanning a contagion that has killed over 2,700, mostly in China.
Advertisement
Advertisement
READ: Philippines confirms first case of new coronavirus: Health minister
Since the outbreak, which has resulted in three confirmed cases and one death in the Philippines, churches have also discouraged worshippers from holding hands during mass.
"It makes me feel safe," said Wendy Tamidles, a 19-year-old student.
She was among thousands of people, some wearing surgical masks, who lined up at Baclaran church in Manila for services on Wednesday (Feb 26).
Advertisement
Advertisement
Many worshippers wore face masks to ward off the coronavirus during Ash Wednesday services in Manila AFP/TED ALJIBE
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, the run-up to Easter, and includes Catholics having crosses drawn in ash on their foreheads.
The Philippines is overwhelmingly Catholic, with around 80 per cent of its people said to be believers. Its unique Read More – Source
[contf]
[contfnew]
channel news asia
[contfnewc]
[contfnewc]
