Archdiocese of Manila calls for younger Church volunteers amid COVID-19 pandemic

The Archdiocese of Manila is calling on younger volunteers to serve the Catholic Church while the elderly are still banned from going outside their homes under the general community quarantine (GCQ) in Metro Manila.

“My dear elderly parish volunteers, even as we appreciate your willingness and good intention to serve, we are also concerned about your health and the health of your family. Please make this sacrifice, and I know for many it is a sacrifice, not to serve in the liturgical services until this pandemic is over,” Manila Auxiliary bishop and Archdiocese of Manila apostolic administrator Broderick Pabillo said.

He explained that the younger volunteers will help them man the recently opened Health Ministry and the Social Communications Ministry, which have been created in a bid to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

They will also help in the preparations for the resumption of masses once the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) allows mass gatherings. 

“In many of our communities, a good number of lay volunteers are among the elderly. So we sorely need younger volunteers. I would appeal to our elderly parish volunteers that if you truly love your parish, you will recruit one or two young volunteers to take your place in the church,” Pabillo added.