The traditional Traslacion of the Feast of the Black Nazarene remains suspended for the third straight year amid the threat of COVID-19 in the country.
According to the officials of Quiapo Church, their decision was also based on their consultation with priests, local government units, and other concerned agencies.
The officials stressed there will be millions of devotees who will gather to participate in the procession and they want to avoid the spread of the virus.
“Hindi pa rin po natin maitatanggi na maaari pa ring mahawa o makahawa ng COVID-19 at maaaring hindi magandang epekto sa ating kalusugan,” Resident Priest of Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene Fr. Earl Allyson Valdez said.
“Kung bibiglain po natin ‘yung muling pagpatuloy ay alam naman po natin napakaraming deboto ng Nazareno baka ang opisyal ng pamahalaan ang ating kapulisan ay mahirapan din sa kailang crowd control,” he added.
Valdez said that devotees can still show their faith in other ways.
The officials said they will add a total of 34 holy masses scheduled to be held from Jan. 8 to 9 to accommodate the expected crowd of devotees.
Devotees will also be given the opportunity to be close to the Black Nazarene through the “pagbibigay-pugay” instead of the traditional “pahalik” that will start on January 7 in Quirino Grandstand including the Quiapo Church.
“Kung dati ay natatanaw lang po natin mula sa malayo ang ating Nazareno, ngayon po ay makapipila na po sila upang mahawakan, malapitan ang Nazareno pero syempre susundin pa rin po natin ang ilang protocol katulad ng pagpahid ng alcohol,” Valdez continued.
Meanwhile, the image of the Black Nazarene will continue to be carried in different palaces in Luzon for pilgrimage masses that will be done before the festival.
Devotees are told to wait for the schedule that will be released by the Quiapo Church. –Report from Kenneth Paciente/KC – gb
