All Catholic churches, schools in earthquake-hit Davao Oriental closed for safety checks—Mati bishop

The bishop of Mati has ordered parishes and Catholic schools in Davao Oriental to temporarily stop using their churches and buildings until they are officially deemed safe after the earthquakes that struck the region on Friday, October 10.

Citing that safety is the top priority, Bishop Abel Apigo issued a circular on Saturday amid reports amid damage to many church and school structures across the diocese.

“I am directing all the parish priests and parish administrators, especially those that were badly hit by the earthquake, not to use the church buildings until we receive clearance from the competent and designated team from the province, city, or municipal office declaring that the buildings are safe,” Apigo said in a CBCP News report.

The directive also covers all Catholic schools in the diocese, with administrators instructed to ensure that classrooms and other facilities are properly inspected before resuming classes and activities.

In the meantime, Apigo gave parish priests and administrators the authority to decide where to celebrate Masses “in a dignified manner”.  

The bishop encouraged Catholics to place their faith in God as they recover from the effects of the earthquakes that resulted in the deaths of at least eight persons and injured almost 400 while resulting in the evacuation of thousands more. —RF, GMA Integrated News