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Quiapo Church reopens, 10 people allowed per Mass

By Ferdinand Patinio

June 5, 2020, 3:20 pm

<p><em>(File photo)</em></p>

(File photo)

MANILA – After more than two months of closure due to the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene also known as the Quiapo Church held Masses for the first time on Friday on a limited capacity.

Fr. Douglas Badong, Quiapo Church parochial vicar, said the Basilica is now open for those who would like to attend Eucharistic celebration every day.

“Yes, they are allowed to attend. Every time there is a mass (five Masses daily). Only 10 devotees (per Mass),” he said.

The church's Masses are scheduled at 5 a.m., 6 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 3 p.m., and 4 p.m.

Badong lauded the devotees for being keen on following the rules set by the church.

“Devotees are cooperative. They know how to queue and they have no complaints about the procedures,” he added.

Badong said they also allow people or those who would like to pray inside the Basilica, in groups, when there is no scheduled Mass.

“If there is no Mass, we allow people, batch by batch, who would like to pray inside,” he added.

Also, the public is also encouraged to attend mass online.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has retained the 10-people limit on religious gatherings in general community quarantine areas such as Metro Manila due to the high number of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases.

Meanwhile, the task force has allowed religious activities to up to 50-percent capacity of the church or worship venue in areas under the modified GCQ.

The ECQ was implemented in some parts of the country in mid-March to help stop the spread of the deadly virus. (PNA)

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