Church workers clean the Church of St. Vincent Ferrer in Barangay Vito, Sagay City in Negros Occidental after it was damaged by a fire last Friday, July 9. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
BACOLOD CITY – The Diocese of San Carlos has launched a donation drive to raise funds for the repair of the historic pilgrimage shrine and church of St. Vincent Ferrer in Barangay Vito, Sagay City in Negros Occidental.
According to San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, the left side of the altar was damaged by a fire that broke out last Friday, July 9.
Damage was placed between P50,000 and P100,000.
Alminaza said a spark coming from an unplugged overheated amplifier may have caused the fire.
The prelate said damaged by the fire was the area where sacred books and vessels used for the Eucharist as well as the church sound system are kept.
The Sagay City government considers the church a pilgrim site and one of the historic landmarks that were established by the Recollect friars in 1860.
People flock to the church every Friday to fulfill their “panaad”’ or promise to the patron saint.
“Palapak,” a religious ritual that involves placing the more than a century-old wooden image of St. Vicente Ferrer on the ailing parts of the body, has been practiced for many years.
“Answered prayers and miraculous healing have been attributed by the faithful to their vow of devotion to the patron saint,” the city government said on its website.
Alminaza said they were grateful that no one got hurt in the fire.
“We thank the people who first saw the fire and alerted the parish personnel and all those who helped put out the fire together with the Escalante City Fire Station who were quick to respond to our call,” the bishop said.
“This unfortunate incident offers both our parish and shrine communities to bond together in rebuilding and strengthening both our church structures and relationships, that is, even bring our faithful and pilgrims closer together towards becoming a truly synodal Church – inclusive, participatory, and helping one another, making sure that no one is left out or left behind,” Alminaza added.
Religious services will continue in the shrine, according to Fr. Joseph Tubiera, the parish priest, and his parochial vicar, Fr Antonio Brasona Jr.
Those who are willing to help restore the church may coordinate either with the parish and shrine office in Vito, Sagay or with the Stewardship and Philanthropic Development Office at the Bishop’s Home Compound that can be reached at 09288320743 or by email at sancarlos_pdo@yahoo.com.
Donations can be made to account number 121-7-12153570-6 with the account name Roman Catholic Bishop of San Carlos at the Metrobank San Carlos City Branch, San Carlos City in Negros Occidental, and by Gcash at 0945-459-1688 – Roman Catholic Bishop of San Carlos.