The Archbishop of Cuenca, Monsignor Marcos Pérez Caicedo, confirmed that the procession will go down Huayna Cápac avenue, one of the largest in the city.
Cuenca
Aware that the pandemic has not passed, but also that the Passenger Child Pass is a long-awaited tradition by the Catholic faithful of Cuenca, the authorities adopted some changes regarding the development of this religious procession.
The main one is the change of route to a broader one to avoid, as far as possible, the agglomeration of people that poses the risk of the spread of COVID-19.
Even before the arrival of the coronavirus, the Child Pass was carried out on the central Simón Bolívar street. In December 2019, there was only one overflight with the venerated image of the nascent Child Jesus and in 2020 it was uploaded in the popemobile to visit the neighborhoods.
With the image of the Traveler Child, a flight was made in Cuenca
But in 2021 it will once again be placed on an altar for believers to admire.
The Archbishop of Cuenca, Monsignor Marcos Pérez Caicedo, confirmed that on December 24, the Children’s Pass will take place on Huayna Cápac avenue, one of the largest in the city.
The reason for choosing this new path is because of its characteristics, the main one being that it is four times larger than Simón Bolívar Street, which to a certain extent guarantees social distancing.
Joffre Astudillo, Secretary of Communication of the Archdiocese, explained that to maintain the designation of Intangible Heritage of the Nation there will be a symbolic and motorized tour through the streets Sucre, Luis Cordero, Simón Bolívar, Estévez de Toral, it will return through Sucre until access to Pumapungo avenue, next to El Paraíso park. All this will be in vehicle, without stopping.
Where the presence of people with floats, dances or on foot will be allowed, it will be on Huayna Cápac avenue.
A second modification is the placement of the image. It was usually placed on a fixed altar so that the devotees would come to cross themselves with the aim of asking for a miracle or thanking a favor.
But this year, according to Astudillo, the altar will be a vehicle. It will be at the crossroads of Huayna Cápac and Bolívar, this with the aim that after making the veneration they will go down González Suárez Avenue (in the direction of the Patrimonial Cemetery) so that the attendees flow.
A third change that will be carried out this year, as confirmed by Astudillo, is the time for the image to return. Until 2018 they removed it at 4:00 p.m., but in 2021 it will be at 2:00 p.m., also so that people stay less time in the same space.
Although these changes are already fully defined, a new meeting will be held next Wednesday to adjust some details and minimize unforeseen events.
Likewise, after this meeting, the Archdiocese will begin the accreditation process for participants who wish to come with platforms or floats. Although this is not a mandatory requirement, those who receive this document will have priority when locating.
The rest of the participants who go spontaneously will be placed behind the accredited ones.
The Child Traveler Pass in Cuenca will be carried out with the vehicle used by Pope Francis when he visited Ecuador in 2015
Regarding the realization and participation of citizens in massive events, the zonal coordinator 6 of the Ministry of Public Health (MSP), Andrea Bersosa, recalled that 15% of Cuencans have not yet received a vaccine, so it is necessary to continue taking care of themselves to prevent a virus outbreak.
Although the fatality is now minimal, he insisted that people take care of themselves with basic biosecurity measures.
Joffre Astudillo recommended that for the Child Traveler Pass the presence of older adults be avoided, although that is difficult because it is a massive faith event that, until three years ago, easily welcomed more than 40,000 participants.
Rubén Becerra, coordinator of the board of directors of the Divino Niño Rey de Reyes group, has great expectations for participating in the Pass because it will be the way to show that faith in God and the Child Traveler is still so valid despite the pandemic, he explained.
With his family and the members of the Divine King they have had several virtual meetings to organize themselves. They estimate to participate with more than 600 people among children and young people during that day.
In the float they are preparing, they will deliver a message of hope for those who did not survive the pandemic as a tribute to their memory and faith.
Rubén has participated since he was a child in this cultural and religious meeting that for the first time in its history will change its route from the Historic Center to Huayna Cápac Avenue.
He understands the global health context, but he hopes this is the first and only occasion, since the tradition is that he walks the central Bolívar street in the wrong direction, the only time in the whole year.
Coordination of the activity
From the Cantonal Committee for Emerging Operations (COE) there is all the predisposition for the Child Traveler Pass to be carried out, according to Froilán Salinas, director of the municipal Council of Citizen Security.
He explained that so far three meetings have been held in which they have agreed on all logistical issues, only the approval of the biosafety protocol is pending to be applied on December 24.
He estimated that there will be no problem and that the religious procession will take place, however, he announced that everything is subject to the decisions of the national Emergency Operations Committee (COE).
But he also called for the protection of each person during that day, because although the authorities carry out the controls, it is the responsibility of each one to wear masks, maintain their distance and disinfect themselves continuously. (I)
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