Stolen Boljoon pulpit panels finally returned

Local

THE long-lost pulpit panels of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Patrocinio de Maria Santisima in Boljoon are finally back in Cebu.

After decades in private collections and months of negotiations for their return, four of the six stolen panels were officially turned over to the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Cebu in a ceremony at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral Museum on March 13.

Leading the ceremony were Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, Cebu Auxiliary Bishop and Jaro Archbishop-Designate Midyphil “Dodong” Billones, Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) Chairman Andoni Aboitiz, and Boljoon Mayor Jojie Derama.

The event marked the culmination of efforts to reclaim the sacred artifacts, missing since the 1980s.

Palma, who also serves as a member of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, underscored the deep religious significance of the pulpit panels.

He spoke about their vital connection to the Eucharist and the proclamation of the Word of God, explaining that the pulpit is not merely a decorative structure but a place where Scripture comes alive through preaching.

He emphasized that in the pulpit, “the Word of God becomes alive,” allowing it to be heard, understood, and made relevant to people’s lives.

The return of the panels, he noted, restores not just a physical piece of history but a crucial element of the church’s liturgical heritage.

The panels, featuring intricate carvings and religious iconography, were stolen decades ago and resurfaced in private collections before being donated to the NMP in 2024 by Edwin and Aileen Bautista.

However, their return was not immediate, as discussions between the museum and Cebu officials took time.

Garcia had firmly maintained that the artifacts belonged to the church and should not be considered “de-accessioned” museum pieces, a stance the NMP ultimately acknowledged.

Now back under the Archdiocese’s custody, the panels will be transported in a motorcade to Boljoon on March 14.

A public viewing will take place from March 14 to 18, allowing devotees and heritage enthusiasts to see the panels up close before they are installed in the church ambo on March 19 and 20.

The official enshrinement will take place during a Thanksgiving Mass on March 21, presided over by Palma.

The ceremony will include the blessing and unveiling of the panels, marking their full reintegration into the centuries-old church.

Before their installation, the Environmental Consultancy Services will conduct a conservation process, which includes carbon dating to determine the exact age of the materials.

Despite this milestone, one piece remains missing.

Garcia has continued to urge its possessor to return it, even anonymously, emphasizing that its absence leaves the restoration incomplete.

In a prior interview, she called on the holder of the sixth panel to surrender it to the Archdiocese or send it discreetly to the Capitol.

For now, the return of the four panels is a major step toward restoring Boljoon’s historic pulpit. The church, however, will not forget the missing piece, leaving an empty space as a reminder of what was taken, and what is still hoped to be recovered.(MyTVCebu)