Philippines: Worship in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan

A Filipino man prays during a Mass at the damaged Santo Nino church, in Tacloban, Philippines, Sunday, November 17, 2013(AP)

Congregations in the Philippines are continuing to hold worship amid the destruction caused by Typhoon Haiyan. 

The Our Lady of the Holy Rosemary church, in Palo, was virtually destroyed by the super storm, with the roof being completely blown off.

The extent of the damage has forced the congregation to hold mass at a nearby construction site for the time being.

Santo Nino church, Tacloban, also suffered serious damage when Haiyan slammed into the Philippines, with the storm blowing a giant hole in its roof and smashing windows. The cross on its steeple was also snapped in half by the strong winds.

Despite the damage, the congregation is still meeting for worship in the tattered building and housing around 30 people. It is also helping in the distribution of aid for survivors.

A girl walks through the destroyed Our Lady of the Holy Rosemary church as mass is delivered at a neighboring construction site, Sunday, November 17, 2013 in Palo, Philippines(AP)

The Reverend Amadero Alvero told the Associated Press: "Despite what happened, we still believe in God. The church may have been destroyed, but our faith is intact, as believers, as a people of God, our faith has not been destroyed."

Around the world, prayers were said for victims and survivors of Typhoon Haiyan during services on Sunday.

In London, a special Mass was held at Westminster Cathedral, attended by members of the UK's Filipino community.

In Hong Kong, where many of the city's domestic workers are Filipino, churches have been holding special services and collecting food, clothes and other items to send to survivors.

Catholics account for around 80 per cent of the total population in the Philippines.