The museum houses religious images from the 18th century and liturgical objects from various parishes in the Bayombong Catholic Diocese.
Newsroom(19/05/2025 21:46, Gaudium Press) With the aim of trying to preserve its cultural and religious heritage for future generations, the Catholic Diocese of Bayombong in the Philippines has inaugurated an Ecclesiastical Museum within the grounds of the Parish Church of St. Vincent Ferrer, one of the oldest churches in northern Luzon.
The Museum’s ecclesiastical identity
The opening ceremony was presided over by Bishop Jose Elmer Mangalinao of the Diocese of Bayombong. Like many museums, the site houses a collection of historical artifacts offering visitors a glimpse into the past, present and future of the diocese. But what sets it apart from the rest is its ecclesiastical identity.
A testimony to the rich religious history of the diocese
According to Bishop Vicente Emilio Tugadi, parish priest and curator of the museum, this new enclosure serves as a testimony to the rich religious history of the diocese. “These objects are reminders to us of what it was like in the past and articulate the history of the Diocese of Bayombong from its beginnings,” said the prelate.
National cultural treasure
The museum houses religious images from the 18th century and liturgical objects from various parishes in the diocese. In addition, the church itself is a historical attraction, being an 18th century baroque structure built by Dominican missionaries. In 2021, this church and its complex were declared a national cultural treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines for their “exceptional architectural significance”. (EPC)
Compiled by Teresa Joseph
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