Only 400 people — including the mayors of the cities under the Archdiocese of Manila — will be allowed to attend the “simple” installation rites of the new archbishop of the Philippine capital.
Cardinal Jose Advincula will be installed as the 33rd archbishop of Manila, the oldest diocese in the Philippines, at the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros on June 24, Feast of St. John the Baptist.
The Archdiocese of Manila covers the cities of Manila, Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasay, and San Juan.
“The celebrations will be very simple. We will follow the liturgical guidelines. No fanfare,” said Father Reginald Malicdem, chancellor of the Archdiocese of Manila, in an online media briefing on June 16.
“We will just be balancing between the celebration and being conscious of the situation because of the pandemic,” said the priest.
“We beg the understanding of everyone,” said Father Malicdem as he asked the public to instead follow the ceremonies online through the various media channels.
The priest said attendance in the ceremonies in the cathedral will be “by invitation only.”
Those attending the celebration inside the church will be required to follow strict health protocols by wearing masks and face shields, and by observing “social distancing.”
Starting Tuesday, June 15, Catholic parishes in the Archdiocese of Manila are holding a nine-day spiritual preparation in anticipation of the installation of Cardinal Advincula.
The last installation rite held at the Manila Cathedral was on Dec. 12, 2012, when Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle was installed archbishop of the Philippine capital.
The old walled city of Intramuros will be closed during the June 24 event.
Cardinal Advincula will be welcomed formally to Intramuros at 8 a.m. by the mayor of Manila and the administrator of Intramuros at the old city’s Postigo Gate.
At 8:30 a.m., civil authorities will meet with the new prelate at the Ayuntamiento building, the old city hall of Manila.
The installation Mass will follow at 9 a.m. and will be attended by several bishops and the clergy of the Archdioceses of Manila and Capiz, government officials, representatives of religious men and women, the Council of the Laity in Manila, family members and guests of the cardinal.
