The Jolo Cathedral in Jolo, Sulu held its first Mass on Tuesday, nearly six months after the twin bomb attacks that claimed 20 lives.
Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Gabrielle Caccia led the Mass along with retired Cardinal Orlando Quevedo and several other bishops and priests.
According to a Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines News post, hundreds of people attended the reconsecration of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
Also in attendance were Archbishops Romulo Valles of Davao, Angelito Lampon of Cotabato, Romulo dela Cruz of Zamboanga, and Bishop Edwin dela Peña of Marawi.
Authorities said the blasts killed 15 civilians and five soldiers during the attack on the southern Philippine island that is a stronghold of Islamic militants.
The first explosion went off inside the church while a Mass on ongoing and was followed by a second blast outside the compound.
ISIS via its Amaq propaganda website claimed responsibility for the Jan. 27 attack.
The initial blast caused severe damage to the cathedral. Costly repairs were funded by the Aid to the Church in Need, a Vatican-recognized foundation, and other organizations. (Leslie Ann Aquino)
