The earthquake, which hit the southern island region of Mindanao on June 8, injured at least 450 people and triggered tsunami warnings across parts of the Pacific, including Indonesia and Japan.
It also damaged Catholic structures such as Holy Cross Parish in General Santos City, Divine Mercy Shrine and Santa Teresita del Niño Jesus Parish in South Cotabato.
The University of Santo Tomas General Santos, a school inaugurated only two years ago confirmed that the tower of its main building collapsed during the tremor. The university said the structure is undergoing further evaluation, although no students, staff or faculty members were injured.
At Notre Dame of Dadiangas, a Catholic school founded by the Marist Brothers, the basic education building collapsed during the earthquake.
The widespread damage prompted the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) to issue a call for donations on June 9.
Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera, president of the CBCP, requested all Filipino bishops “to authorize a second collection in their respective dioceses during the Sunday Masses of June 14, 2026.”
He said parishes can transmit the collection’s proceeds to diocesan action centers and Caritas Philippines, the social action arm of the CBCP.
Garcera also requested churches across the Philippines “to offer a special Prayer of the Faithful during all Masses next Sunday for the victims of the earthquake, for those engaged in rescue and relief operations, and for the swift recovery of the affected communities.”
“In moments such as these, we are reminded that the Church is called to be a sign of hope and a witness of charity,” Garcera said.
The archbishop of Manila, Cardinal Jose Advincula, said he hoped that Filipinos will “draw strength from our faith and from the solidarity of one another” in these difficult times.
Archbishop Alberto Uy of Cebu, the country’s biggest archdiocese, called for prayers for the earthquake victims.
Caritas Philippines, in a separate statement, said that it “stands in solidarity” with the victims and is “prepared to extend assistance and accompany communities” toward recovery.
In a virtual meeting by Caritas Philippines on the evening of June 9, Church workers said that one of their current problems is assessing the damage in isolated areas.
Some towns still had no electricity, they added.
Caritas Philippines executive director Father Carmelo Caluag, who was in Bangkok for a Caritas meeting, said his counterparts in other Asian countries have also offered help.
Caluag has enlisted the help of other dioceses outside the affected areas in Mindanao. – UCA News
