St. Mary's Cathedral (Marawi)

Saint Mary’s Cathedral (officially the Cathedral of María Auxiliadora[1]) is a church in the predominantly Muslim city of Marawi on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao.

St. Mary's Cathedral
Cathedral of María Auxiliadora
Location	Marawi, Lanao del Sur
Country	Philippines
Denomination	Roman Catholic
History
Status	Cathedral
Dedication	Mary Help of Christians
Events	Marawi crisis of 2017
Architecture
Functional status	Active, Heavily Damaged
Years built	1934
Administration
Diocese	Territorial Prelature of Marawi
Province	Ozamiz
Clergy
Bishop(s)	Edwin de la Peña

Background

Belonging to the Territorial Prelature of Marawi, the church was built in 1934 and dedicated to Mary Help of Christians.[1] In March 2008, the church reportedly had a corrugated iron roof. Being in a majority Muslim city, the church's façade did not display a cross.[2]

Battle of Marawi

Further information: Battle of Marawi

During the 2017 Battle of Marawi, the extremist Maute Group seized the cathedral as part of their takeover of the city. Online videos posted by the militants showed them toppling and smashing religious icons, tearing photographs of Pope Francis, and desecrating the chancel. They later set pews and the whole structure alight.[3] The church was heavily damaged[4] with bullet holes on the structure's wall and tin foil roof.[5]

The military recaptured the cathedral from the Maute Group on August 25, 2017. [6]The first Sunday Mass was held in the cathedral on October 1, 2017, coinciding with the feast of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, patroness of the Philippine Army. The service was attended by least 300 uniformed soldiers.[5]

References

1. "Cathedral of Maria Auxiliadora". GCatholic.org. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
2. "Islamic City of Marawi, proud to be different". ABS-CBN News. 18 March 2008. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
3. "Destruction of Marawi cathedral angers bishop". ABS-CBN News. 6 June 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
4. Aurelio, Julie (10 October 2017). "CBCP: Damaged churches in Marawi need to be restored". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
5. "Marawi cathedral celebrates first Mass since May attack". Vatican Radio. 2 October 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
6. Manolo B. Jara (30 August 2017). "Top terrorists cornered in Marawi: Military chief". The Gulf Today.