A SEA OF BELIEVERS Devotees flock to Quiapo Church for the annual Feast of the Black Nazarene last January 9, 2020. Image: Katrina Hallare/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — The image of the Black Nazarene will not be out for the grand procession, called the Traslacion, early next year to prevent the transmission of the coronavirus disease, the Manila government revealed on Friday.
“The grand procession of the image of the Black Nazarene will no longer push through on January 9, 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Manila Public Information Office (PIO) said in a statement.
“This after the Manila City government and the Quiapo Church have agreed to cancel the procession for the first time to ensure that public health protocols will be implemented on the day of the annual ‘Traslacion,’” it added.
The Traslacion is an annual grand parade of the life-size image of the Black Nazarene in Manila streets which will be joined by millions of barefoot devotees.
In the same statement, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno said the decision to cancel the Traslacion was in order to prevent the threat of transmission of COVID—19 among millions of devotees who traditionally join the festivities.
“Nakikisuyo po ako, iwasan po muna natin ang mga parada at prusisyon ngayong may pandemya dulot ng sakit na COVID-19. Maaari pong mapahamak ang ating mga deboto, mailagay sila sa alanganin,” Moreno said.
(I am appealing to avoid parades and processions this pandemic. Our devotees might get sick.)
With the suspension of the religious activity, Quiapo Church Rector Monsignor Hernando Coronel said masses will be held for Black Nazarene devotees instead.
“Ang mangyayari po sa January 9 ay patuloy na mga misa, at yung ating mga bikaryo ay ilalagay po natin sa canopy po sa labas ng simbahan,” he said in the same statement.
(On January 9, masses will continue and our vicars will be put out at the canopies of the church.)