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MANILA, Philippines — Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David lamented the flooding at the historic Betis Church in Guagua, Pampanga, saying it was distressing to see the heritage structure hit by floodwaters.
“It pains me to see our beloved Betis Church like this,” David said on Facebook, where he shared photos showing floodwaters inside the church and its complex.
The centuries-old church, the Saint James the Apostle Parish, was declared a National Cultural Treasure by the government in 2001 and is widely recognized for its intricate interior, especially its elaborate ceiling murals that serve as visual catechism.
Because of its exquisite religious art, Betis Church is referred to as the “Sistine Chapel of the Philippines,” a reference to the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, where cardinals elect a new pope, the vicar of Christ on Earth.
