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Bella Cariaso - The Philippine Star
March 28, 2026 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) acknowledged that the oil crisis may affect the observance of the Visita Iglesia or church visits during Holy Week, in the face of the continuing surge in the prices of petroleum products.
“It’s going to be very selfish on the part of the Church if we are worried that only a few will go to the church. We are worried that the Filipinos are really affected by the rising prices of oil. Of course, it will snowball. So this is what we should be worried about. If people want to save, it’s understandable,” CBCP Episcopal Commission of Public Affairs executive secretary Fr. Jerome Secillano said yesterday over radio dzBB.
The Visita Iglesia is a Philippine Catholic tradition during Holy Week, specifically on Maundy Thursday or Good Friday, involving the visitation of seven churches.
Secillano noted that if it is impossible for people to go to church, especially for the elderly or those who are sick, mass is available on Facebook or YouTube.
“There is also what is called a virtual visit to the church. They just click on the sites. Even if you can’t go to the church because of valid reasons, you can always pray in the confines of your home,” he said.
Meanwhile, Secillano said that the Church has yet to issue an Oratio Imperata amid the Middle East war.
“Maybe we can talk to some bishops, and maybe they will agree to make an Oratio Imperata,” he added.
The CBCP has also renewed nationwide divine mercy consecration amid ongoing national and global crises.
