Pampanga crucifixion rites off; subdued Moriones continues

‘MORION’ MARCH The island province of Marinduque is synonymous with Moriones, a Lenten tradition depicting the Passion of Christ. This more than 200-year-old religious activity features penitents wearing masks and costumes mimicking Roman soldiers. —RICHARD A. REYES

Several Lenten rites observed by Catholics in the provinces will either be canceled or “toned down” as local and health officials try to contain the spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19), which has infected 34 people, among them foreigners, in the country.

In Pampanga province, Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. canceled the Lenten ritual of crucifixion in Barangay Lourdes Northwest due to the health threat caused by COVID-19.

The same ritual at Barangay San Pedro Cutud in the City of San Fernando had been called off.

Penitents subject themselves to real-life crucifixion in these places on Good Friday to perform their version of the Calvary between the boundaries of City of San Fernando and Bacolor town.

Lazatin also directed the police to install checkpoints for 24 hours to restrict entry of visitors from countries severely hit by COVID-19.

He said the city government would provide disinfection agents to all public and private schools.

Church precautions

In Nueva Ecija province, the Catholic Church canceled its pastoral visit and Mass confession scheduled during Holy Week following the declaration of a state of public health emergency.

Bishop Sofronio Bancud of the Diocese of Cabanatuan on Tuesday issued a circular that also directed church workers to immediately clean and disinfect parishes after Masses and other activities.

Bancud said church leaders, lay workers and officials of Catholic schools in the diocese should come up with precautionary measures to prevent the virus from spreading.

Churchgoers were advised to avoid the “mano,” gesture or pressing one’s forehead on the priest’s hand, and refrain from kissing or touching holy images.Putting holy water at the entrance of the parishes will also be temporarily stopped, Bancud said.

Faith-based

But postponing Marinduque province’s traditional Moriones, largely founded on the Catholic Church’s observance of Holy Week, is out of the question, according to Gerry Jamilla, Marinduque tourism chief.

Jamilla said local officials would likely push through with the Lenten rites in April although it would be a “toned down” version, meaning with less promotional materials as a crowd control measure.

PAMPANGA’S CALVARY The village of San Pedro Cutud in the City of San Fernando in Pampanga province is among the most popular Lenten destinations in the country due to its crucifixion rites. —TONETTE OREJAS

He said they would also set up, starting Tuesday, tighter screenings at the Lucena City seaport, a jump-off point to Marinduque, and on the island’s only airport in Gasan town.

“[Visitors] will be scanned [for body temperature] twice–in Metro Manila and when they arrive in Marinduque. If symptoms are detected, they won’t be allowed to [enter or] travel anymore,” he said in a phone interview.

But Jamilla said they were anticipating less people to witness Moriones this year due to fears of the spread of COVID-19, which had forced many local governments to cancel or postpone major events. This, he said, is expected to have a negative impact on the local economy.

“But we can’t postpone Moriones because it is faith-based,” he said.

In previous years, Marinduque officials estimated that about 50,000 people, among them foreigners, watched Moriones, the only time in a year when the beach resorts and small businesses come to life.