Missing pulpit panels returned to Cebu church

MANILA, Philippines — Four historic wooden pulpit panels that were missing for four decades have been returned to the Archdiocese of Cebu by the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP).

According to the CBCPNews, the Archdiocese of Cebu announced on social media that the 19th century pulpit panels were returned to the Archdiocesan Shrine of Patrocinio de Maria Santissima in Boljoon town on March 13.

The CBCPNews is the official news provider of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.

“Welcome home, Boljoon pulpit panels. The four panels are now joined with the one that has been housed at the parish,” the archdiocese posted on social media.

In February last year, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma called for the return of the panels, which depict St. Augustine of Hippo.

Palma said the panels are “tools for evangelization” and not artwork.

After holding several meetings, the NMP on Thursday turned over the panels to the Archdiocese of Cebu during a ceremony at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral Museum.

Palma and outgoing Auxiliary Bishop Midyphil Billones, archbishop-designate of Jaro, received the panels.

The ceremony was attended by National Museum chairman Andoni Aboitiz, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco and Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia.

Palma described the panels as “treasures” that reflect Cebu’s religious and cultural heritage.

The panels will be subjected to a carbon dating process to determine their age.

A public viewing of the panels will be held at the Boljoon Church from March 14 to 18 while the formal installation on the pulpit will be on March 19 and 20.

A thanksgiving mass will be said on March 21 and will be followed by the blessing of the panels.

The panels were reportedly donated by private collectors to the NMP last year.