Apostolic Nuncio to PH set to visit Diocese of Tagbilaran

The reconstructed Sta. Cruz Parish Church of Maribojoc town, Bohol. (Photo courtesy of NMP-Bohol)

TAGBILARAN CITY — Archbishop Charles John Brown, the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, is set to visit the Diocese of Tagbilaran from Dec. 11 to 12, 2021.

Bishop Alberto Uy said that Brown’s two-day pastoral visit happens on the occasion of the turnover and liturgical dedication of the Sta. Cruz Parish Church (Holy Cross Parish Church) of Maribojoc town on Dec. 12.

Joining Brown will be Spanish Ambassador Jorge Moragas Sanchez and Bishops Antonieto Cabahug, Crispin Varquez, Julito Cortes, Leonardo Medroso, Arturo Bastes, Romulo Valles and Patrick Daniel Parcon.

On Sunday, the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) will turn-over the reconstructed Holy Cross Parish Church in Maribojoc town to its legal owner, the Diocese of Tagbilaran.

It will culminate NMP’s  restoration and reconstruction of the centuries-old heritage structures in the province that were damaged by the 7.2-magnitude earthquake in 2013.

During the ceremonial turnover, a message from President Duterte will be read by former Maribojoc Mayor Leoncio Evasco, presidential adviser on streamlining of government processes.

Reconstruction of the church had been implemented by the NMP, a cultural agency responsible for various culturally significant properties, sites and reservations throughout the country.

The church complex of Maribojoc, which includes the stone masonry church and convent, its side plazas and the stone stairway at the back of the church, was declared National Cultural Treasure by the NMP on May 5, 2010.

The declaration officially recognizes Maribojoc Church as a unique cultural property, possessing outstanding historical, cultural, artistic and scientific value highly significant and important to the country and nation.

The site, due to its colonial architecture representative of the Spanish colonial period, had also been listed by the National Historical Institute (now National Historical Commission of the Philippines or NHCP) as a historic center/ heritage zone.

A new historical marker by the NHCP will be unveiled during the ceremonial turnover.

Unique to the church are its neo-Gothic and Mudejar styled retablos incorporated with local motifs. Its ceiling paintings executed by Cebuano master painter, Raymundo Francia, is a fine example of early 20th century ecclesiastical art in the Visayas.

Both elements of the church have been meticulously restored by local artists, guided by expert art restorers and conservators.

The massive feat of reconstructing and restoring the damaged heritage structures of Bohol, including the church in Maribojoc, is the result of the collective and collaborative efforts of the national government, local governments, contractors and stakeholders.

JPV