CHURCHES IN THE DIOCESE OF TAGBILARAN

Since Bohol was being considered as the next venue for the plenary assembly of the bishops, I, together with Fr. Bryand, the Assistant Secretary General of the CBCP, conducted an ocular survey of the proposed locations for the event.

As the assembly will have two parts, the bishops of the Dioceses of Tagbilaran and Talibon agreed to divide the hosting responsibilities. The first part, which will serve as both a retreat and a consultation workshop on the implementation of the Synod and the Bangkok document—with an additional delegate per diocese—will be held in Tagbilaran. This decision was made because Tagbilaran has larger hotels capable of accommodating around 200 delegates. The second part, the plenary assembly itself, will take place in Anda, which falls within the Diocese of Talibon.

After inspecting the venues, I also took the opportunity to visit several parish churches in Bohol. In this blog I will be presenting ten churches in the Diocese of Tagbilaran: Loay, Loboc, Lila, Dimiao, Valencia, Garcia-Hernandez, Clarin, San Isidro, Antequera and Cortes. All of these churches suffered damages in the 7.2 magnitude earthquake of October 15, 2013.  Most of the churches have been restored with a few still being reconstructed. 

Together with Bp. Abet Uy we inspected the halls and rooms of the Bohol Tropics where the bishops' meeting in July will be held. 

We had lunch together with Bishop-emeritus of Tagbilaran, Bp. Leonardo Medroso (second from left) and Bp. Abet Uy and some of his priests. 

MOST HOLY TRINITY PARISH (F-1799)
Loay, Bohol

The facade and the belltower of the church suffered damages during the 2013 earthquake. Being a heritage church it was restored with the help and supervision of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP). 

One of the side altars of the church 

The restored belfry of Loay

Some old buildings at the right side of the church which now serve as museum were also restored. 

ST. PETER THE APOSTLE PARISH (F-1596)
Loboc, Bohol

This Loboc church was also destroyed by the 2013, 7.2 magnitude earthquake. This was fully restored and handed over to the diocese in 2019.

Work is still being done to restore the plaza fronting the church. 

The belltower of Loboc is found across the street from the church. 

Right side altar facing the altar

A retablo on the right wall

Main altar

A retablo at the left wall

Left side altar facing the main altar

While the old church was being restored, a temporary church was built just near the old church. 

The convento was likewise restored. 

OUR LADY OF THE HOLY ROSARY PARISH (F-1869)
Lila, Bohol

The altar and the main isle with its painted ceilings. 

The two outer isles of the church. 

The main altar of the Church of Lila. 

A close up picture of the altar. 

SAN NICHOLAS DE TOLENTINO PARISH (F-1750)
Dimiao, Bohol

HOLY INFANT PARISH (F-1871)
Valencia, Bohol

The main altar. 

The side altars (above and below)

Notice the wooden floor of the church. 

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH (F-1859)
Garcia-Hernandez, Bohol

Did not have the time to stop and see the inside of the church. I was told that the interior of the church underwent a facelift. 

ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL PARISH (F-1924)
Clarin, Bohol

The convent convent

The Parish Pastoral Center

ST. ISIDORE THE FARMER PARISH (F-1970)
San Isidro, Bohol

The church of San Isidro was also destroyed by the 2013 earthquake. But since it was not a heritage church, it did not receive any support from the government. The construction of the church which is still ongoing is through the efforts of the parishioners and generous donors. 

The huge altar stone broke loose from a mountain side during the earthquake and killed a family of five whose names are inscribed. 

OUR LADY OF THE HOLY ROSARY PARISH (F-1880)
Antequera, Bohol

The damaged church of Antequera is still undergoing restoration. 

SANTO NIÑO PARISH (F-1793)
Cortes, Bohol

This church was also damaged by the 2013 and was fully restored in 2020. 

The convento at the back of the church