Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso is asking devotees to hear mass online and pray instead to celebrate the Feast of the Black Nazarene due to the cancellation of the traditional “Traslacion” on January 9 for the second consecutive year.
“Walang parada, walang event. Mag misa tayo, alalahanin at kilalanin natin ang Poong Nazareno. Magdasal tayo sa Panginoong Diyos, sumunod tayo sa mga alituntunin ipatutupad at makakaraos tayo,” Moreno Domagoso said.
Moreno said devotees can still celebrate the occasion without having to physically go to Church amid the rising number of new COVID-19 cases.
“It may not be a perfect celebration but due diligence or kailangan kusang disiplina ang ipatupad natin. Ipapatupad namin ang dapat through the help of the Manila Police District, through our Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), at katulad nyan ang simbahan sa tulong nila at higit sa lahat ‘yung mga nagsasampalataya sa ating Sto. Nino kami sa Tondo at sa Poong Nazareno na malaking kapistahan,” Moreno pointed out.
The decision to cancel the Traslacion was made after consultations between representatives of the City Hall and Quiapo Church officials led by Fr. Douglas Badong, the parochial vicar of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, the formal name of Quiapo Church.
Moreover, President Rodrigo Duterte also appealed to the Catholic Church to temporarily refrain from conducting mass gathering events such as the Traslacion in his Talk to the People Monday evening.
“Maybe the priests or the bishops are listening. The government does not impose the rules now. It does not really. Rather it is a request from government for everybody to follow the guidelines set to prevent the widespread again of the super spreader,” Duterte said.
While acknowledging its importance to the faithful, Duterte said consideration should be made to stop the further spread of COVID.
“Itong procession na ‘to it’s a very important event for the Roman Catholic Church. Now, I have to appeal to them for their understanding and to really look at it in the broader context of our liability also to the people if we do not act correctly or fail to come up with measures to protect public interest and public health,” the President said.
The Traslacion is considered as one of the most awaited events of the year by millions of devotees from all walks of life. The faithful believe that participating in the traditional celebration of the Feast Day of the Black Nazarene is their way of thanking the Lord for His continuing blessings and healing.