The Diocese of Legazpi in the Philippines’ Bicol region has launched activities for the observance of the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christianity in the diocese.
The celebration in the town of Libon on Sunday, November 29, marked the start of the observance that will end in April 2022.
Bishop Joel Baylon of Legazpi said the town of Libon was chosen because it was the first Spanish settlement in the Bicol region in 1573.
Franciscan friars later arrived in town in 1578.
“Because of the pandemic the launch was for only a day, but the entire celebration would be a one-year affair with many activities lined up, both on the local as well as on the national level,” said Bishop Baylon.
He said the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines has allowed dioceses that feel there is less threat of the new coronavirus to start the celebrations.
The bishops’ conference has earlier announced that it has adjusted the schedule for the celebration of the 500 years of Christianity in the country due to the pandemic.
The opening ceremony was postponed to April next year, so the whole celebration will end in April 2022.
“The original schedule for the culmination of the celebration in April 2021 will now instead serve as the launching of the year-long celebration that will end in April 2022,” said the conference in its announcement.
The year-long celebration for the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines will begin on April 17, 2021, to commemorate the first Easter Sunday mass in the Philippines.
On April 14, 2021, the first Baptism in the Philippines will be commemorated.
