Archdiocese eyes lockdown of 24 Pampanga heritage churches

FILE: There were cracks seen on our Church and Convent. We are still on the process of inspection & evaluation, waiting for Archdiocesan Commision on Cultural Heritage to assest the current situation of our Church. (Photo: Sta Monica Parish Church Minalin/Facebook)

MANILA — A ministry of the Archdiocese of San Fernando, Pampanga on Tuesday has recommended a lockdown of 24 heritage churches under the archdiocese until the structures have been found safe.

In an advisory posted on its Facebook page, the Archdiocesan Commission on Church Heritage (ACCH) Secretariat said its recommendation was reached after consultation with technical experts.

“Upon consulting our technical experts, the ACCH Secretariat is recommending a lockdown of all heritage churches (no activities inside and cordon off to secure the whole premises) until they are deemed safe,” it said.

“The Technical Secretariat is coordinating with experts and national agencies to assure everyone’s safety,” the advisory added.

The following are the heritage churches in the Pampanga:

District 1: Holy Rosary Parish, Angeles City; Nuestra Señora de Gracia Parish, Mabalacat City; San Bartolome Apostol Parish, Magalang.

District 2: San Agustin Parish, Lubao; Sta. Lucia Parish Sasmuan; Immaculada Concepcion Parish, Guagua; Santiago Apostol Parish Betis, Guagua; San Jose Labrador Parish Floridablanca; Sta. Catalina de Alexandria Parish, Porac; Sta. Rita de Cascia Parish, Sta. Rita.

District 3: Metropolitan Cathedral City of San Fernando; Sta. Catalina Alexandria Parish, Arayat; San Guillermo Parish, Bacolor; Sta. Monica Parish, Mexico; Sta. Ana Parish, Sta. Ana; San Vicente Ferrer Parish, Calulut, City of San Fernando.

District 4: San Pedro Apostol Parish, Apalit; San Andres Parish, Candaba; San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish, Macabebe; San Miguel Arkanghel Parish, Masantol; Sta. Monica Parish, Minalin; San Luis Gonzaga Parish, San Luis; Nuestra Señora del Pilar Parish, San Simon; Sto. Tomas Apostol Parish, Sto. Tomas.

Meanwhile, Fr. Reginald Malicdem, Manila Cathedral rector, said Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle has asked clergy members in the archdiocese to check on the people and churches.

“Yes, he asked priests in the Archdiocese to see if some people in our area were hurt or displaced, so they could be attended to and to check the parish church, rectory, pastoral halls and schools for possible cracks or damage, so appropriate action could be taken,” Malicdem said in an interview.

On the other hand, Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes reported that churches in their diocese are secured.

“All our churches are either brand new or very well renovated. All churches in Sorsogon are strong and beautiful,” he added.

On Monday, a 6.1 earthquake jolted some parts of Luzon including Metro Manila, damaging roads, buildings, and churches.