Defiled church closed for reparation rites

The San Fernando Rey parish church, built in 1847 and deemed one of northern Cebu's most historic religious landmarks, is ordered closed pending canonical reparation rites.

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All public acts of worship are suspended until further notice.

THE CRIME INCIDENT

Initial police reports indicated that a woman was found sprawled near the rearmost pew shortly after a morning mass, around 9 a.m.

Witnesses recalled hearing a scream from inside the church, prompting vendors and staff to investigate. A man dressed in black was last seen fleeing the scene, successfully evading pursuit by barangay tanods.

The victim sustained head trauma and abrasions on the neck, with blood reportedly oozing from her nose. She was rushed to a hospital in Danao City, over 10 kilometers away from Lilo-an, but was declared dead on arrival.

The Archdiocese confirmed that the CCTV footage had verified that the assault occurred inside the church itself, thus, the declaration of its desecration.

CANONICAL REPARATION RITES

In accordance with Canons 1210 and 1211, Archbishop Uy decreed the temporary closure of the church, suspending all public acts of worship until proper canonical procedures are completed.

The rites of reparation, to be determined in consultation with parish clergy and the Chancery, are expected to follow solemn liturgical prescriptions. While no specific timeline was provided, such procedures may take several days to weeks, depending on the gravity of the desecration and readiness of the parish.