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CIRCULAR # 10/05 – Norms Governing Church Restoration


TO ALL PRIESTS OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CEBU

Reverend and Dear Monsignori/Fathers:

Our Archdiocesan Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church was established on July 2, 2002 by a decree with the expressed mandate to superintend all the conversation, restoration, preservation initiatives of our parochial churches and their adjunct structures and the holdings therein. It was canonically created to monitor the proper application of heritage conservation laws of the Church, as well as their civil effects. Our purpose is supported by the CBCP Permanent Committee for the Cultural Heritage of the Church, which encourages all territorial jurisdiction to organize their own church heritage commissions.

It is the teaching of the Church that her cultural heritage ensemble is a privileged means of evangelization. Rightly, utilized, cultural heritage becomes not only a community heirloom, but a social responsibility, for heritage management prolongs the identity of the People of God. One finds the best paragon for cultural heritage in the church buildings that have been constructed many centuries ago and continue to fulfill their mission not only as the town centers, but also as “city built on a hill that cannot be hidden” (Matt. 5/14).

The onset of Vatican II brought changes to the theology of the church building and its interior. Vatican II, in its constitution on the liturgy “Sacrosanctum Concilium” decreed the preservations of works of art of heritage value. Even in changing times, church laws were enacted to preserve old structures; new church laws were also sanctioned to guide in the construction of new churches.

A misreading of Vatican II decrees and a misunderstanding of the intent of the Council Fathers lead to unhappy consequences when heritage churches were and are unsympathetically remodeled in the name of liturgical reform. Thus, churches have lost their architectural integrity, and their heritage significance were lessened. This is one reason why, time and again, the Holy See, through the Pontifical Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church, reminds us of graver responsibility of management and advocacy of our ecclesiastical cultural heritage.

Therefore, in response to the directives of the Holy See especially  as contained in the Circular Letter “Opera Artis” of 11 April 1971, and in the spirit of the second Plenary Council of the Philippines. (PCP-II), in conformity with the Sacred Canons, as shepherd of this ecclesiastical jurisdiction and administrator of all archdiocesan properties, I hereby decree the following norms:

  1. All proposed projects for the restoration, preservation and remodeling of parochial churches and chapels be submitted to our Archdiocesan Commission for  the Cultural Heritage of the Church for its qualified perusal.
  2. The proposal shall consist of the architectural plan, site development plan, pictures and bills of materials to be attached to covering letter of intent duly signed by the Resident Parish Priest.
  3. The aforesaid Commission shall study the proposal and shall conduct an ocular inspection of the site to ascertain its conformity with the requirements of civil law on buildings and constructions, on conservation principles as well as canonical legislation on liturgical environment.
  4. After its study and ocular inspection, the said Archdiocesan Commission shall transmit its observation and recommendations in a written report, to the Archbishop of Cebu for his prudent judgment.
  5. No parish may commence restoration or remodeling work without the expressed permission of the Archbishop of Cebu, either directly through his office or through his pastoral arm, the Archdiocesan Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church.
  6. These norms shall take effect immediately upon signing of this circular.

Confident that your Reverence will abide by the provisions of these norms, I send you my paternal blessing as a sign of divine pledge.

Sincerely in the Lord,

+RICARDO J. CARDINAL VIDAL

Archbishop of Cebu

By the Mandate of His Eminence:

RT. REV. MSGR. ADELITO A. ABELLA, H.P.

Archdiocesan Chancellor