CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — Cebu Archbishop Alberto S. Uy presided over the eucharistic celebration marking the reconsecration and reopening of the San Fernando Rey (SFR) Parish in Lilo-an, Cebu, nearly a month after the church was rendered desecrated and temporarily closed due to a violent crime committed within its premises.
Before giving the final blessing, Archbishop Uy led the community in the Consecration to the Sacred Heart, symbolizing the parish’s renewal and spiritual reparation.
Joining the archbishop were Msgr. Juan Jose Dosado, episcopal vicar; Fr. Joseph Larida, team moderator; the parish’s Team of Pastors; and several visiting priests, who together led the faithful in a Mass filled with reverence, renewed hope, and communal healing.
The reconsecration comes weeks after the Archdiocese of Cebu ordered the temporary closure of the parish on October 24, 2025, following what it described as a desecration caused by a violent crime committed inside the church.
In a public statement, Archbishop Uy expressed “deep sorrow and grave concern,” confirming that CCTV footage verified the assault took place inside the sacred space.
He denounced the incident as “violence committed within the very house of God” and extended prayers for the victim and her grieving family.
Citing Canon 1211 of the Code of Canon Law, the Archdiocese reminded the faithful that a sacred place is deemed desecrated when it suffers grave injury through acts that are seriously disrespectful and scandalous. In such cases, divine worship is temporarily forbidden until a proper rite of reparation is performed.
After reviewing available evidence, the Archdiocese determined that the parish had indeed been desecrated, prompting a decree suspending all public acts of worship until the appropriate canonical procedures were completed.
During the closure, the archbishop worked with the parish clergy and the Chancery to determine the proper penitential rite needed to restore the church’s dignity as a house of prayer and peace.
Welfare of others above self
Anchoring his homily on the feast of Christ the King, the archbishop reminded the faithful of the need to choose leaders who embody Christ’s example, leaders who place the welfare of others above personal gain.
Uy said the nation continues to struggle, not for lack of resources, but because many of its leaders mirror the self-serving attitudes of the Jews in the Gospel who focused only on securing their own salvation.
Kon ang atong mga pangulo maniguro sa ilang kaugalingon, ang katawhan maoy maglisod. Ang pangulo nga dili kahibaw mosakripisyo, dili kahibaw mag-antos, katawhan ang mag-antos,” he said.
Drawing from the Gospel account of the good thief crucified beside Christ, he urged the faithful to remain hopeful and prayerful for the conversion of sinners.
“Mga igsuon, dili lang para sa nagpasipala sa Simbahan, dili lamang sa kuratkot sa atong katilingban, kon dili para kanatong tanan katawhan sa Dios. We have to humble ourselves and be like that good thief. Let’s recognize our sins and salvation will be ours, not only in the future but today, as the Lord says, ‘You will be with Me in paradise’,” says the prelate as posted in the church’s official Facebook page.
| Written by Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon /Photo by Rowena Capistrano
