Manila, Oct. 1 -- Newly installed Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy has directed priests in northern Cebu to suspend Masses inside their respective churches following the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck the province Tuesday night.

In a press conference Wednesday, Msgr. Renato Beltran said Uy instructed the temporary suspension of holding masses in northern Cebu to prioritize the safety of clergy and parishioners while structural inspections of churches are being conducted.

"The instruction was for northern churches because the quake hit the area, but I also advised priests to check all churches," Beltran said

Uy, who was installed as Cebu's new archbishop earlier Tuesday, skipped the scheduled fiesta Mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedr...