4 stolen pulpit panels reinstalled at Boljoon church

Local

FOUR of the six intricately carved wooden panels stolen from the Spanish-era pulpit of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Patrocinio de Maria Santisima have been reinstalled after more than 40 years, restoring a significant part of Boljoon’s religious and cultural heritage.

The National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) turned over the panels to the Archdiocese of Cebu, which formally unveiled them during a thanksgiving Mass on Frinday, March 21

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma presided over the ceremony, delivering his homily from the antique pulpit and underscoring its importance in the life of the Church.

The restored pulpit now holds five of the six original panels, one of which had never left the church. The sixth panel, however, remains missing.

Palma acknowledged the role of Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia in securing the return of the panels, crediting her persistence and strong stance on the issue as instrumental in prompting the museum’s decision.

Garcia first called for the repatriation of the panels when they appeared in a NMP exhibit in 2024.

In a series of press conferences, she emphasized that the panels belonged to the Archdiocese of Cebu and should be returned to Boljoon, a town whose church is a declared National Historical Landmark and listed as a National Cultural Treasure.

She revealed that the Archdiocese had granted her special power of attorney to pursue legal action against the museum, a move that prompted the board of trustees to act swiftly.

During the Mass, Garcia urged renewed focus on the missing panel and called on its holder to return it.

“Please return it to the people of Boljoon. Give it back to the heritage of the Cebuanos,” she said.

She also appealed for the return of other stolen religious artifacts taken from Cebu’s heritage churches in the 1970s and 1980s.

Boljoon Mayor Joie Genesse Derama expressed gratitude to Garcia, Palma, and Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, describing the reinstallation as a milestone in the town’s efforts to reclaim and preserve its history.

NMP Director-General Jeremy Barns, who attended the ceremony, acknowledged delays in the repatriation process and apologized for the institution’s shortcomings.

National Commission for Culture and the Arts Chairman Victorino Manalo stressed that the panels belong in their original sacred context, where they hold both cultural and spiritual value.

The restored pulpit now stands as a powerful symbol of recovery and resilience.

Yet the empty slot left by the sixth missing panel serves as a reminder that Boljoon’s heritage remains incomplete—and that the search for the final piece continues.

The stolen panels resurfaced when they were donated to the National Museum and later displayed during an exhibit on February 14, 2024.

Their reappearance drew immediate attention from Cebu officials.

Garcia promptly demanded their return, citing their cultural and religious significance to Boljoon and the lack of authorization from the Archdiocese of Cebu when they were removed in the 1980s.

The controversy surrounding their unauthorized removal, done without the consent of then Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, sparked public outcry.

The incident was considered both a criminal offense and a sacrilege.

With the support of the Archdiocese, Garcia pushed for repatriation through legal channels.

Her campaign, supported by local leaders and heritage advocates, eventually compelled the National Museum’s board of trustees to approve the return of the panels to their rightful home.(MyTVCebu)