CEBU CITY – Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, some bishops will skip a major event which is part of the 500 Years of Christianity (YOC) Celebrations here.
There will only be about 10 bishops who will attend the April 14 religious activity commemorating the quincentennial anniversary of the first baptism in the country.
Fr. Mhar Balili, secretary general of the 500 YOC Celebrations, said that due to health protocols, only limited invitations were sent and there were some last-minute cancellations.
Among those who cancelled were Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President Romulo Valles and CBCP Vice President Pablo David.
“Monsignor Bernie Pantin will represent CBCP,” said Balili in a press briefing Monday.
One of those who confirmed to attend the event is Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles Brown who will be the lead celebrant of the Pontifical Mass at Plaza Sugbo here where the Magellan’s Cross Shrine is located.
Plaza Sugbo can accommodate up to 3,000 individuals but to ensure that health protocols will be observed, only 300 people will be allowed to attend the Mass, Balili said.
The 300 people are 169 representatives from various parishes in Cebu, 75 priests, and some local government officials.
National Historical Commission Chairman Rene Escalante will be among the national government officials who will be attending the event.
Since only limited people will be allowed to witness the event physically, organizers encouraged the public to watch the activity via online streaming.