Breaking News | January 5, 2022
The National Task Force Against COVID-19 ordered that Quiapo Church be closed from January 7 to 9 to avoid all gatherings in relation to the Feast of the Black Nazarene.
In a resolution, the NTF declared:
"the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene will be closed from 07 to 09 January 2022. No Holy Mass shall be physically conducted on these dates."
It also ordered, "The Traslacion or the procession of Black Nazarene's image and all other and all other activities related to such is suspended."
While all online masses will continue, it is the first time that there will be no physical masses for the Feast of the Black Nazarene.
Duterte Appeals to Cancel Traslacion, Holy Mass
Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte appealed to the Roman Catholic Church to suspend all fiesta-related activities:
""Kung nakikinig ang Roman Catholic Church (If the Roman Catholic Church is listening), I am now appealing to you to forego and cancel all physical gatherings, including the procession and the celebration of mass sa (in) church because marami yan sila (there are a lot of them)," Duterte said in his Talk to the People on Tuesday night.
As millions of devotees are expected to come during "The Feast of the Black Nazarene", Duterte said the government cannot be complacent about the transmission of the disease, adding that while "(the Traslacion might be an important event for the Catholic Church and its devotees, government) has to come up with critical decisions to protect public health and public safety."
/MS