Traslacion cancelled for the first time amid Covid-19

Millions of devotees join the annual Traslacion, the grand procession of the image of the Black Nazarene, in Manila on Jan. 9. (Photos by Mary Jazmin D. Tabuena/ The Varsitarian)

FOR THE first time, the procession of the image of the Black Nazarene will be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Manila city government announced on Friday.

Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said public health protocols must be prioritized to ensure the safety of devotees.

Msgr. Hernando Coronel, rector and parish priest of Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, said, in a past interview with the Varsitarian, following safety protocols was a must inside and outside the church.

Coronel said being “pastorally creative” was the Church’s response to the pandemic.

“Although we are people of faith, we follow science, also the statistics. Nandun tayo sa clinical research, data-gathering. Pinagkakatiwalaan natin ang ating pamahalaan para alamin kung ano ‘yung nakakabuti sa atin,” Coronel told the Varsitarian.

(Although we are people of faith, we follow science, also the statistics. We believe in clinical research, data gathering. We trust our government to determine what is good for us.)

The Traslacion is held every January 9.

Devotees walk barefoot from the Quirino grandstand to the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene to commemorate the transfer of the image of the Black Nazarene from San Nicolas de Tolentino Church inside Intramuros to Quiapo Church in 1787.