The San Agustin Church in Manila has been placed under lockdown after its parish priest died from COVID-19.
The lockdown will take effect until further notice.
“San Agustin Church and Convento de San Agustin Intramuros will be on lockdown starting March 21. Access to the church and convent will be restricted, and operations at the Parish Office will also be suspended until further notice,” the church said in a statement on Sunday.
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“These recent developments are due to the death of our dear parish priest, R.P.FR.ARNOLD STA. MARIA CANOZA, OSA from COVID-19. We ask for your understanding and prayers,” the statement added.
Fr. Arnold Sta. Maria Cañoza, the parish priest of San Agustin Church, died early Sunday after he got infected with the coronavirus.
“It is with a heavy heart that we inform you that, according to the report of the Local Prior of Convento de San Agustin – Intramuros, R.P. Fr. Arnold Sta. Maria Cañoza, OSA, assigned at the Convento de San Agustin as PARISH PRIEST of Archdiocesan Shrine of N.S. de la Consolación y Correa – San Agustin Church, PASSED AWAY due to COVID-19 on 21 March 2021. He was 45 years old and had been a professed religious in the Order for 14 years. He first professed his vows on 01 June 2006 and made his solemn profession on 5 February 2011,” the statement added.
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The church asked for prayers on the parish priest’s eternal repose.
“We commend him to your prayers and request the celebration of masses for his eternal rest, as established in the Constitutions of the Order (n.101) and the Statutes of the Augustinian Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus of the Philippines (n.20).Due to the nature of Fr. Arnold’s death, the entire convent community will be on lockdown starting March 21, 2021. We as everybody for your prayers,” the statement also said. (TDT)
