![The Augustinian Province of Santo Niño de Cebu has expressed solidarity with the Archdiocese of Cebu in its request to the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) to return the four pulpit panels in the Archdiocesan Shrine of Patrocinio de Maria Santissima in Boljoon, Cebu.](https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/files/2024/02/650529.jpeg)
The National Museum of the Philippines received a series of early 19th-century panels depicting the founder of the Augustinian Order as a gift from private collectors on Feb. 13. The panels came from the pulpit of the Patrocinio de Maria Santisima Parish Church in Boljoon, Cebu. Leaders of the Archdiocese of Cebu and the provincial government, however, asked the National Museum to return the panels, said to be stolen and lost for four decades, to the church. (NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE PHILIPPINES)
MANILA, Philippines — The Archdiocese of Cebu said on Wednesday that the pulpit panels of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Patrocinio de Maria Santisima in Boljoon, Cebu will be returned.
“NMP will go beyond the issue of the pulpit panels and expressed willingness to collaborate with the Archdiocese when it comes to the conservation and restoration of the Boljoon Heritage complex which covers the church, convent, musuem, escuela catolica and their adjunct structures,” it added.
Meanwhile, other agreements will be tackled in future discussions, the archdiocese said.
The panels made it to the collection of the NMP in February as a donation from private collectors.
Several entities, including the local government of Cebu have likewise called for the return of the panels.