Archbishop Alberto Uy of Cebu has condemned a crime that took place inside a church in Liloan town, calling it a “grave act of violence” that desecrated a sacred place.
A woman believed to be around 30 years old was found dead at the San Fernando El Rey Church on Friday morning.
Police said the victim sustained visible head injuries, bleeding from the nose, and bruises on her neck.
The archdiocese said a review of available evidence, including CCTV footage, confirmed that the “assault” occurred inside the church.
Uy expressed deep sorrow and solidarity with the victim’s family, saying the incident has caused “profound scandal and pain” among the faithful.
“We unite in prayer for the victim’s family as we condemn in the strongest terms this act of violence committed within the very house of God,” Uy said.
Citing church law, Uy said a church is considered desecrated when it suffers “grave injury through acts done in it which are seriously disrespectful and give scandal to the faithful.”
In accordance with canonical norms, the archbishop decreed the temporary closure of the Liloan Church and suspended all public acts of worship “until proper canonical procedures are completed to ensure the reparation of the desecration and the restoration of the church’s dignity.”
He said the rite of reparation will be determined in consultation with the parish clergy and the chancery.
Uy urged the faithful to respond to the tragedy “not with anger, but with prayer, compassion, and solidarity—especially for the victim and her family.”
“Let us all reaffirm our respect for every human person and for the sanctity of our sacred spaces, which are meant to be places of refuge, reverence, and healing,” he said.
