Cardinal-designate Jose Advincula of Capiz, who is among the 13 new cardinals set to be appointed by Pope Francis on Saturday, will miss the ceremony due to COVID-19, the Vatican announced Monday, November 23,
Advincula, 68, was the bishop of San Carlos in Negros Occidental before he was appointed archbishop of Capiz.
Coronavirus will not stop the Consistory, a formal meeting of the College of Cardinals called by the pope, but it will change its modus operandi, the Vatican said.
Advincula will not be able to attend the Consistory in the Vatican because of travel restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic.
He will attend the celebration, participating remotely from his diocese, through a digital platform that will allow them to connect with St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican said.
A representative of the pope will present his red hat – the “biretta” – the cardinal’s ring and title connected with a Roman parish “at a time to be decided later,” it added.
The creation of new cardinals will take place on Saturday afternoon at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica, with a limited congregation, the Vatican said.
Advincula was ordained priest of Capiz on April 14, 1976, appointed Bishop of San Carlos on July 25, 2001, and was consecrated on September 8 of the same year.
On Nov. 9, 2011, Pope Benedict XVI elevated Advincula to Archbishop of Capiz.*