Jolo Cathedral reopens 6 months after twin blasts

FILE: Archbishop Gabrielle Caccia, the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, leads the reconsecration of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cathedral in Jolo, Sulu, July 16, nearly six months after the bomb attacks that claimed 20 lives (Photo: CBCP News/Website)

MANILA — Catholic Church officials in the country together with hundreds of faithful were present for the reconsecration of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel or the Jolo Cathedral on Tuesday.

The reopening of the Apostolic Vicariate of Jolo happened six months after the twin bombings that killed 20 people and injured close to 100 others.

According to an article posted on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) news website, Archbishop Gabrielle Caccia, the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, celebrated mass along with retired Orlando Cardinal Quevedo and several other prelates and priests.

Also present during the Eucharistic celebration were Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles, Cotabato Archbishop Angelito Lampon, Zamboanga Archbishop Romulo Dela Cruz of Zamboanga, and Marawi Bishop Edwin Dela Peña.

Last January 27, twin blasts rocked the church located in Jolo, Sulu killing 15 civilians and five soldiers.

The first explosion happened inside the church while a mass on ongoing, causing damage to the structure. The second blast occurred outside the compound.

Repairs on the cathedral were funded by the Aid to the Church in Need, a Vatican-recognized foundation, and other organizations.

It was earlier reported that five members of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group allegedly behind the twin bombings have surrendered to authorities, several days after the attack.

They are facing multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder charges before the provincial prosecutor of Sulu.