Ibinahagi ni Diocese of San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza ang pagkabigla at kalungkutan sa naganap na sunog sa Diocesan Shrine and Parish Church of St. Vincent Ferrer sa Vito, Sagay noong gabi ng ika-9 ng Hulyo, 2021.
Ayon sa Obispo, batay sa inisyal na pagsusuri ay hindi nahugot sa saksakan ang amplifier na ginamit sa 3 isinagawang Banal na Misa sa buong araw ang nakikitang dahilan ng sunog sa simbahan partikular na sa kaliwang bahagi ng altar.
“We were shocked and saddened when we learned what happened to our Diocesan Shrine and Parish Church of St. Vincent Ferrer in Vito, Sagay late night last Friday, July 9, 2021. A spark coming from an unplugged overheated amplifier used in all 3 masses on Fridays as part of the popular devotion of the faithful and pilgrims to this very historical shrine and center of faith and devotion to St Vincent Ferrer may have been the probable cause of this fire that partially damaged the left side of the altar when one is facing it.” Ang bahagi ng pahayag ni Bishop Gerardo Alminaza.
Ayon sa Obispo, ang nasunog ay ang pinaglalagyan ng mga sacred books and vessels na ginagamit sa Banal na Eukaristiya gayundin ang sound system at equipment ng parish choir.
Nagpapasalamat naman si Bishop Alminaza sa maagap na pagtugon ng mga nakakita sa sunog at sa Escalante City Fire Station na agad na rumespundi upang maapula ang apoy.
Bagamat nagdulot ng partial damage ang sunog sa loob ng simbahan ay nagpapasalamat naman ang Obispo na walang sinuman ang nasaktan.
Tiniyak naman ng kura paroko na si Fr. Joseph Tubiera at parochial vicar na si Fr. Antonio Brasona, Jr. na maaari pa ring magsagawa ng religious services sa dambana.
“We are grateful there was no casualty and religious services can still continue in the Shrine according to Fr. Joseph Tubiera, the parish priest and his parochial vicar, Fr. Antonio Brasona, Jr. We thank the people who first saw the fire and alerted the parish clergy and personnel and all those who helped put out the fire together with the Escalante City Fire Station who were quick to respond to our call.” Dagdag pa ni Bishop Alminaza.
Samantala, naniniwala naman si Bishop Alminaza na isang opurtunidad rin ang naganap na insidente upang higit pang mapatatag hindi lamang ang pundasyon at istruktura ng simbahan kundi maging ang relasyon ng parokya at mga mananampalataya.
“This unfortunate incident offers both our parish and shrine communities an opportunity to bond together in rebuilding and strengthening both our church structures and relationships, that is, it can be a precious occasion to bring our faithful and pilgrims closer together towards becoming a truly synodal Church,” ayon pa kay Bishop Alminaza.
Umapela naman ng tulong at donasyon si Bishop Alminaza para sa muling pagsasaayos ng pinsala ng apoy sa Diocesan Shrine and Parish Church of St. Vincent Ferrer.
“For any help or assistance in restoring the shrine and parish church, please coordinate either with the parish and shrine office in Vito, Sagay or in our Stewardship and Philanthropic Development Office at Bishop’s Home Compound, San Julio Subdivision, San Carlos City, 6127 Philippines.”
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