Caceres bishop suspends traditional visit to image of Our Lady of Penafrancia after 2 priests get COVID-infected
Caceres Archbishop Rolando Tirona has suspended the traditional "Pagsungko ni Ina" (the visitation of the image of Our Lady of Penafrancia) in all parishes in his archdiocese after two of their priests tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
"It is unfortunate to inform you that two of our brother-priests were tested positive for Covid-19. One is infected due to the activity of 'pagsungko' around the parish," he said in a circular letter dated July 27.
"For this reason, we suspend all "Pagsungko ni Ina" within the Archdiocese," added Tirona.
The prelate said this is also in order to safeguard and protect the faithful from the spread of COVID-19.
Earlier this week, Kalookan Bishop Pablo David also revealed that a priest in his diocese also tested positive for COVID-19.
"The diocese now has two seminarians, one deacon, one priest, and one bishop emeritus (Deogracias Iniguez) who came out Covid positive. One seminarian has recovered already," he said in a Facebook post.
Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Manila Bishop Broderick Pabillo also tested positive for the disease but is now COVID-19 free.