Quiapo Church to stop Black Nazarene Feast activities if devotees become unruly

The Quiapo Church vowed to stop the activities in celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene on January 9 if devotees will disregard instructions and health protocols in light of the COVID-19 threat.

Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita on Tuesday, Quiapo Church spokesperson Fr. Douglas Badong said the church is coordinating with concerned agencies in preparation for the event.

“'Yung commitment namin kung saka-sakaling may mga unruly o hindi talaga sumusunod then we are willing to close 'yung simbahan para masigurado natin ang kaligtasan ng bawat isa,” Badong said.

“Kung kinakailangan po ihinto muna 'yung mga Misa, activities, e gagawin po namin kasi 'yun naman 'yung bahagi ng simbahan,” he added.

Quiapo Church is working on the closure of some routes near the church and preparation of pathways which devotees can use during the event.

Because devotees can only be allowed inside the church to fill just 30% of the venue capacity under general community quarantine guidelines, Badong said they will place LED screens outside the church for devotees who will not be able to enter the church.

“At least 'yung mga tao po ay talagang kahit papaano makikita pa rin nila 'yung nagaganap na Misa sa labas,” Badong said.

According to him, Quiapo Church has requested authorities to expand the church capacity limit to 50% on January 9 to accommodate more people inside the church.

On Monday, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno said the city government will designate four areas to accommodate devotees who will attend Mass in Quiapo Church during the feast.

These four areas are Villalobos, Carriedo, Hidalgo, and Plaza Miranda.

Due to the threat of the pandemic, the celebration of the feast will exclude traditional activities such as processions like the Traslacion and Salubong or Pahalik to avoid COVID-19 transmission.

Aside from this, devotees were told to attend Mass in their own parishes instead of coming all the way to the Quiapo Church.

Every year, millions of devotees arrive at Quiapo Church to participate in the activities in celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene. —KG, GMA News