MANILA, Oct. 12 -- All parishes and Catholic schools in Davao Oriental were ordered to stop using their churches and buildings until authorities declare them structurally safe following the magnitude 7.4 and 6.8 earthquakes that struck Oct. 10.

In a circular issued Saturday, Bishop Abel Apigo of Mati said safety is the top priority.

"I am directing all the parish priests and parish administrators, especially those that were badly hit by the earthquake, not to use the church buildings until we receive clearance from the competent and designated team from the province, city or municipal office declaring that the buildings are safe," Apigo said in a news release posted by CBCP (Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines) News.

The di...