2 Catholic churches closed; priest, 2 personnel test positive for COVID
TWO Catholic churches in Metro Manila are temporarily closed due to COVID-19.
The National Shrine of St. Jude Thaddeus is closed temporarily and suspended public Masses for two weeks from Dec. 31 until Jan. 14 after a priest and three of its personnel tested positive for COVID-19.
“For the duration of the closure, there will be thorough disinfection and intensive sanitation and, hence, the churchgoers are requested to refrain from coming to the Church in the meantime,” the shrine said in a statement.
The parish encouraged its parishioners to instead attend Masses through its online livestreams.
“Let us implore the Almighty God in our fervent prayers for the sick that they will be restored to good health, through the constant intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and our beloved Patron of Hope, Saint Jude Thaddeus,” the shrine added.
Meanwhile, the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, more commonly known as the Quiapo Church, will be closed from Jan. 3 to 6, 2022, amid the increase in COVID-19 cases in the country.
In a video advisory posted on Facebook, Rev. Fr. Douglas Badong, the church’s parochial vicar, urged devotees not to go to Quiapo Church on those three days.
“Mula Jan. 3 hanggang Jan. 6 ay hindi po muna natin pahihintulutan ang pagpasok sa loob ng simbahan ang mga deboto. Kung maari ay huwag na munang pumunta sa simbahan ng Quiapo,” he said.
The church will reopen on Jan. 7.
Badong said the three-day closure of the church would pave the way for its disinfection ahead of the Feast of the Black Nazarene in Jan. 9.
“Ito ay pakikiisa ng Simbahan para maiwasan ang paglaganap ng hawaan ng COVID at makapagbigay-daan po tayo para sa paglilinis, pagdi-disinfect ng simbahan at ng paligid nito bilang paghahanda na rin natin sa napakahalagang araw para sa ating mga deboto,” he said.
