Advincula seeks understanding over Traslacion 2022 cancellation

Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula on Thursday appealed for the devotees' understanding and cooperation over the cancellation of this year’s traditional Traslacion, and physical masses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Advincula said that he understands the devotees’ desire to attend the traditional procession and masses in Quiapo Church for the Feast of the Black Nazarene.

“Humihingi kami ng paumanhin at pang-unawa na dahil sa pandemya hindi natin maisasagawa ang mga tradisyonal na gawain kapag kapistahan ng Poong Hesus Nazareno,” he said in a statement released on Wednesday.

(We apologize and understand that due to the pandemic we will not be able to conduct the traditional activities during the Feast of the Black Nazarene.)

He, however, encouraged the public to join the online masses, which would be aired on Facebook where the faithful can watch and join the Eucharistic celebration attend.

“Umaasa kami sa inyong pakikiisa. Ipakita natin an gating debosyon sa Mahal na Poong Hesus Nazareno sa ating pag-iisip ng makabubuti para sa bawat isa at pagmamalasakit para sa ating kaligtasan ng lahat,” he added.

(We ask for your cooperation. Let us show our devotion to the Black Nazarene by doing the right thing for the safety of the public amid the pandemic.)

The Traslacion is the annual procession that carries the statue of the Black Nazarene from Quirino Grandstand back to Quiapo Church, taking place annually from January 7 to 9. 

It usually attracts millions of Filipinos from all corners of the country.

Last year, however, the procession was cancelled and a "new normal" version gathered only around 300,000 devotees due to quarantine measures.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday urged church leaders to suspend mass gatherings, including the traditional Traslacion and the mass for the Black Nazarene, due to the rising cases of COVID-19 infections in the country.

Earlier, the Quiapo Church, the center of the Black Nazarene devotion, announced that it will be closed from January 3 to 6, 2022 amid the increase in COVID-19 cases.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) placed the National Capital Region (NCR) under Alert Level 3 from January 3 to 15, 2022, following the sharp increase in new COVID-19 cases. —LBG, GMA News