Bohol bishop reports to Vatican on deadly quake

MANILA, Philippines - A prelate of the Catholic Church reported to Vatican City about the earthquake that inflicted severe damage to Bohol province, asking for prayers for those affected.

"It's very, very bad. The damage is enormous. I just went around this afternoon and you can cry [upon] seeing your big churches just turn into rubble," Tagbilaran, Bohol Bishop Leonardo Medroso said in an interview with Vatican Radio on Wednesday.

Medroso, whose town experienced the most intense ground shaking at Intensity 7 last October 15, mourned the loss of lives and also of seven historic churches in the vicinity.

"Some were buried by landslide and others were caught up by falling debris ... The [destroyed churches] were considered by the Church and the state as national treasures," he told the Vatican's state news outfit.

Asked about the mood of the people in the quake-stricken areas, the bishop said Tagbilaran residents are still in a state of shock and even afraid to return inside their homes as aftershocks strike one after another.

He said several people are eating and camping outside in the squares and open spaces.

Priests are also doing what they can to provide spiritual assistance to the parishioners.

"Our parish priests are going around to give people moral support but as of now, they can't move much yet because of the aftershocks," Medroso said.