Religious processions during the celebration of Lent and Holy Week will still be not allowed in the Diocese of Antipolo.
Antipolo Bishop Francisco De Leon made this clarification in a letter addressed to priests in his diocese.
He cited the following as reasons why processions including motorcades will still be prohibited:
• If the crowd is not controlled, it may elevate the Covid-19 cases. We are still in a pandemic crisis, and we must avoid a resurgance of cases, and;
• We must take into account the recent increase in gasoline prices.
De Leon said the Pastoral Guidelines on the Celebration of Lent and Holy Week during Alert Level 1 or 2 in the Diocese of Antipolo released last Feb. 24, 2022, stated that religous processions will be allowed adherance to the policy of the government on social distancing.
"In that rergard, I retract my statement," he said.
Catholics marked the start of the Lenten season on March 2 with Ash Wednesday.