Pampanga church exec seeks help vs robbery

THE IMAGE of the Infant Jesus, seen here in the embrace of the image of the Virgen de la Correa, is missing and believed to have been stolen. Church authorities are seeking help in its recovery. PHOTO FROM ST. JAMES THE APOSTLE PARISH

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—The Archdiocese of San Fernando in Pampanga province on Tuesday asked for help in the search and recovery of an ivory image of the Infant Jesus accompanying the image of the Virgen de la Correa at St. James Parish in Guagua town.

The image of the Infant Jesus was stolen from the church in the Betis district on Dec. 30, 2013, before both images were put on procession for the town’s fiesta, the Archdiocesan Commission on Church Heritage said in a message posted on the social networking site Facebook.

Both images are centuries old, it said.

Pampanga Auxiliary Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, who celebrated the 5 p.m. Mass that day, said the image was stolen between 3 and 3:30 p.m. when the “caro” (carriage) was being readied for the procession.

“We appeal to you to be on the lookout for this significant piece of Betis heritage and let us know of possible leads that can help us recover it,” the commission said.

The Betis church is a National Cultural Treasure for its elaborate architecture.

The commission said the images of the Virgen de la Correa and the Infant Jesus were among the legacies left by the Augustinian religious order, which began a mission in Betis, a Muslim settlement, in 1572.

In 2013, several old church bells were stolen in various Pampanga parishes and chapels, and none of these have been recovered. No suspect has been identified or arrested.

Supt. Oscar Albayalde, Pampanga police director, said police had yet to receive a lead on the suspects or location of the missing image. Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon