Manila Cathedral closed to undergo major repairs
The Manila Cathedral (Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception) has been closed beginning February 7, 2012. The Cathedral’s closing was officially announced by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio G. Tagle in a press conference on February 13, 2012 at the Arzobispado de Manila. Earlier in February, in a circular, Archbishop Tagle informed all the priests in the Archdiocese of Manila of the planned closure in view of a report pointing to questions on the structural integrity of the Cathedral, the mother church of the Archdiocese. In a circular to them the Archbishop said that the decision to close was done after consultations with the Archdiocese’s College of Consultors, and Board of Trustees of the Manila Cathedral Basilica Foundation. The report was made by Angel Lazaro and Associates International (ALAI), a reputable structural engineering consulting firm. In the circular, Archbishop Tagle pointed to three items of greatest concern (which were also tackled during the press conferenc...