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Quiapo church rector sends last-minute appeal to devotees
Monsignor Hernando Coronel has appealed anew to devotees who are sick, pregnant, children, and old people not to join the Traslacion on Tuesday anymore for their own safety. (Photo by Marc Reil Gepaya/Flickr, CC BY-ND 2.0)
MANILA — Monsignor Hernando Coronel, Rector of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene or Quiapo Church, has appealed anew to devotees who are sick, pregnant, children, and old people not to join the Traslacion on Tuesday anymore for their own safety.
“Yung may mga pre-existing heart condition dini-discourage natin sila na makibahagi pa sa Traslacion. Ipagdadasal nalang natin sila sa loob ng misa. Pero naintindihan natin ang sitwasyon nila pagkat gusto nilang makalapit sa ating Poong Senior, meron silang mga kahilingan sa pamamagitan ng mga dasal kaya nauunawaan natin kung yun ang purpose ng pagdiriwang (We are also discouraging those who have heart conditions from joining the Traslacion. We will just pray for them through the Mass. We understand them, though, especially if they have their own pleas, and that’s the purpose of this celebration),” the priest said in an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas.
At the same time, Coronel asked the cooperation of those who will attend the procession to ensure their safety during the celebration.
He also encouraged them to report immediately to the authorities if they see anything suspicious during the event.
Meanwhile, organizers will be putting up four command posts at the Quiapo Church, Manila City Hall, Luneta, and at the headquarters of the Manila Police District (MPD) to immediately respond to any emergency situation during the Traslacion.
There will be 200 CCTV cameras to be installed by Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) to monitor the 10-kilometer route of the Traslacion in 25 streets from Quirino Grandstand, Luneta to Quiapo Church.
At the same time, organizers of the annual Church event are hoping that devotees will not forget the true meaning of the event, which is celebrating their faith with Jesus Christ and also to ensure that the procession will be orderly, safe, and meaningful.
