Earthquake Prompts Closure of Churches and Schools in Davao Oriental
All parishes and Catholic schools in Davao Oriental have been ordered to stop using their churches and buildings until they are declared structurally safe.
This decision comes after the region was struck by magnitude 7.4 and 6.8 earthquakes in October.
“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,”
said Bishop Abel Apigo of Mati in a circular issued on Saturday, emphasizing that safety is the top priority.
Bishop Apigo's directive was announced through a news release posted by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) News.
Author's summary: Bishop orders closure of churches and schools in Davao Oriental for safety checks.