Although the repair of churches damaged by super typhoon “Rolly” (international name: Goni) is a major concern, the people affected by the disaster are the Church’s priority.
Bishop Joel Baylon of Legazpi said it is the diocese’s desire to stand with the displaced families and to do whatever the Church can to support them.
“While we are working on the immediate repairs of these churches, we do not forget that many homes have been destroyed,” said Bishop Baylon.
He said the diocese is already sourcing out funds and building materials to help in the rehabilitation efforts of the province.
Several Catholic churches in Albay province were not spared by super typhoon “Rolly” when it slammed into the Bicol region on November 1.
But Bishop Baylon said the St. John the Baptist Church and the San Antonio Church, both in Tabaco City, were the only “heavily damaged” places of worship.
Masses were temporarily celebrated outside the churches.
Several other churches were reported to have sustained “minimal” damage “so Masses can still be held inside.”
The super typhoon also destroyed many homes and an estimated 346,000 people have sought refuge in evacuation centers.
Crops were destroyed and about 5.89 billion pesos worth of infrastructures were damaged.
