The “red hat” ceremony for Cardinal Jose Advincula supposedly scheduled on Tuesday, June 8, has been postponed due to the threat of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
This was announced by the Archdiocese of Capiz on Saturday, June 5.
"The Archdiocese of Capiz has decided to cancel the Bestowal of the Cardinal's Insignia to His Eminence Jose F. Cardinal Advincula scheduled for June 8, 2021," it said in a statement.
"(This is) upon the recommendation of medical experts, in observance of health protocols against the spread of COVID-19, and to ensure the health and safety of everyone," it added.
There is no announcement yet as to when the ceremony will happen.
The Immaculate Conception Metropolitan Cathedral, the ceremony’s venue, is located in Roxas City in Capiz. The city is currently under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) until June 15.
This was the second time that the ceremony was postponed. Originally, it was scheduled on May 28 but was moved to June 8. The first postponement was due to unavailability of the apostolic nuncio to the Philippines----- Archbishop Charles Brown who was then undergoing his 14-day mandatory quarantine upon his arrival from New York, United States.
In October 2020, Pope Francis had named 13 new Cardinals, including Advincula. On Nov. 28, 2020, Advincula was unable to go to Rome for the consistory ceremony due to the prevailing pandemic. “They will be handed their biretta, ring and title later in their respective countries,” the Vatican News then said.
The "red hat" or the red biretta and the ring serve as symbols of membership in the Sacred College of Cardinals.