San Agustin Church placed under lockdown after parish priest died of COVID-19

The San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila went on lockdown on Sunday, March 21, after its parish priest died of COVID-19.

The lockdown will be "until further notice."

"San Agustin Church and Convento de San Agustin Intramuros WILL BE ON LOCKDOWN STARTING TODAY (21 March). Access to the church and convent will be restricted, and operations at the Parish Office will also be suspended until further notice," the Archdiocesan Shrine of N.S. de la Consolacion y Correa - San Agustin Church said in a Facebook post on Sunday.

"These recent developments are due to the death of our dear parish priest, R.P.FR.ARNOLD STA. MARIA CANOZA, OSA from COVID-19. We ask for your understanding and prayers," it added.

Fr. Arnold Sta. Maria Cañoza, parish priest of San Agustin Church, died early Sunday after he got infected with the coronavirus, the Agustinian Vicariate of the Orient announced in a Facebook post.

"It is with a heavy heart that we inform you that, according to the report of the Local Prior of Convento de San Agustin - Intramuros, R.P.FR. ARNOLD STA. MARIA CAÑOZA, OSA, assigned at the Convento de San Agustin as PARISH PRIEST of Archdiocesan Shrine of N.S. de la Consolación y Correa - San Agustin Church, PASSED AWAY due to COVID-19 on 21 March 2021. He was 45 years old and had been a professed religious in the Order for 14 years. He first professed his vows on 01 June 2006 and made his solemn profession on 5 February 2011," the post read.

"We commend him to your prayers and request the celebration of masses for his eternal rest, as established in the Constitutions of the Order (n.101) and the Statutes of the Augustinian Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus of the Philippines (n.20)," it added.

"DUE TO THE NATURE OF FRAY ARNOLD'S DEATH, THE ENTIRE CONVENT COMMUNITY WILL BE ON LOCKDOWN STARTING TODAY, 21 MARCH 2021. WE ASK EVERYBODY FOR YOUR PRAYERS," the post read. —KG, GMA News