The 400-year-old image of Sto. Niño de Pandacan, long considered by devotees to be miraculous, was among the images burned during the fire incident that gutted the Sto. Niño Parish in Pandacan, Manila last week, church officials said.
Only the crown and other small pieces of the image were not burned.
“That’s one of the most painful because that’s a 400-year legacy of people in Pandacan,” parish priest Fr. Ric Valencia said.
The church official said the parish would try to restore some of the antique images destroyed.
The church noted it was a miracle that the Blessed Sacrament and sacramental bread were not ravaged by the fire.
The Manila Fire District said the fire might have been caused by an electricity issue.
The church and convent will be rebuilt but spiritual services like baptism, blessing of the dead, and masses will continue to be held daily.