An official of the Quiapo Church in Manila is hoping that the "traslacion" or procession of the image of the Black Nazarene will push through next year.
If it pushes through, Quiapo Church rector Monsignor Hernando "Ding" Coronel said it will be "scaled down" due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We hope the traslacion pushes through although it will be very much scaled down," he said.
Coronel expressed the same sentiment in a Mass Monday.
"The traslacion in Bicol didn't push through because of the pandemic. I ask Our Lady of Penafrancia for our traslacion to push through this January," he said.
Coronel said they will discuss with their traslacion partners if scaling down means limiting the procession route to Quiapo area.
Quiapo Church parochial vicar Fr. Douglas Badong said they are already discussing the activity but only among themselves as they have yet to meet with other stakeholders.
"We are preparing for the worst case scenario," he said.
If the Inter-Agency Task Force won't allow the activity, Badong said they will just hold a Mass in Quiapo.
He said there might also be makeshift chapels in designated areas with the image of the Nazareno.
"We are also waiting as to how many people will be allowed by the IATF inside the church," he said.
Badong said Monday's motorcade of the image was a learning experience for them.
"We really need to prepare for the traslacion," he said.
Joint Task Force COVID Shield commander Police Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said Quiapo Church will be probed on the motorcade for supposed quarantine violations. Quiapo Church officials have said that they will cooperate with the probe.