Church short on funds in restoring churches

THE Archdiocesan Commission on Cultural Heritage does not have enough resources for the rehabilitation of churches damaged by the recent calamities.

But they can help on the technical assistance on how to rehabilitate these churches.

“In terms of budget, the commission has no money for the budget of the rehabilitation. What the commission does is to explain and give technical inputs on how to rehabilitate the affected old churches,” Fr. Brian Brigoli, the vice chairman of the commission told Cebu Daily News.

The rehabilitation of old churches in southern Cebu that were affected by the earthquake as well as those in northern Cebu that were damaged by supertyphoon Yolanda is on-going through the efforts of the parishioners.

“We should not depend on others. They have to work for it on how to rebuild their churches so that people can own the church,” Brigoli said.

The restoration and rehabilitation of the affected churches would probably cost millions.

Some parishes not affected by the calamities are helping raise funds.

In northern Cebu, old churches that were affected by Typhoon Yolanda were the Saints Peter and Paul Church in Bantayan, Sta. Rosa de Lima Church in Daanbantayan and San Juan Nepomuceno Church in San Remegio.

Fr. Brigoli said the strong winds damaged the roof of these churches.

In the south, the rehabilitation of the belfry of the Sta. Catalina de Alejandria Church in the City of Carcar is almost done.

Rehabilitation of the San Guillermo de Aquitania Church in Dalaguete and Nuestra Senora del Patrocinio Church in Boljoon is still ongoing.