|
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Group slams renovation of ancient churches
CULTURAL conservationists have appealed to the Catholic Church to protect old churches in the country and stop priests from renovating them "in the name of modernization."
In a petition to the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), the Heritage Conservation Society (HCS) protested the renovation of old places of worship that were built during the Spanish period.
The petition bore more than 600 signatures.
According to the HCS, almost every town in the Philippines has at least one church building established during the Spanish colonial period and the makeovers "diminished what could be considered as Filipinos' architectural ancestry".
"In their desire to leave their mark on the churches, parish priests have caused irreversible damage to our old churches during their short stints in parishes," the group said in their petition, which was filed before the CBCP's committee for the cultural heritage of the church.
The HCS said the priests "blatantly renovate church buildings without consulting conservationists and agencies mandated to protect historical heritage."
"Sadly, there have been instances where parish priests sold off priceless antiques and other church property to unscrupulous antique dealers and collectors to fund the renovations, with the treasures of the church ending in homes and other private collections," the petition said.
They said instead of "costly renovations", priests should direct their parish's fund to pastoral programs for the poor.
The group also asked the CBCP to declare church buildings that are 50 years old and more "as part of cultural heritage" so that they will be untouched. (MSN/Sunnex)
(August 10, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
