Misamis Occidental church closed after alleged spitting in holy water font

Ozamis Archbishop Martin Jumoad has ordered the temporary closure of the Parish Church of St. John the Baptist in Jimenez, Misamis Occidental, after an individual reportedly spat at the holy water font.

“The Parish Church of St. John the Baptist in Jimenez shall remain closed until further notice as a sign of penance and reparation. This is to invoke conversion of heart and communal purification as guided by Catholic teaching,” the decree mandated by Jumoad read.

It added that the reopening of the church will be permitted once “appropriate acts of penance are observed by the faithful, including participation in the Holy Hour and confession, as well as after due assessment.”

A holy hour and solemn confession will be held on Thursday, Aug. 7, at 3 p.m. to “foster repentance, seek forgiveness, and restore the sanctity” of the church.

Jumoad warned the individual to “immediately confess” and engage in “sincere penance” to “restore one’s standing in the community of faith.”

“The act of profaning sacred objects, such as holy water font, constitutes grave sin and desecration and incurs not only ecclesiastical penalties but endangers the sinner’s communion with the Church and God,” the decree read.

Meanwhile, Fr. Jezon Panaguiton of the St. John the Baptist Parish urged the public to refrain from using hurtful words against the individual.

“As the catechism teaches, the dignity of every person must be respected. Only God knows the depths of each heart — let us trust in His mercy and justice,” Panaguiton said.

According to James Paolo Yap’s “24 Oras” report, the individual was identified as a female vlogger or content creator, whose video went viral online. 

She denied the allegations and apologized. 

“Meron mga tao na nakasunod, bakit ko duduraan? Gusto ko humingi ng tawad sa lahat ng Katoliko kung nagkasala ko,” the vlogger said in another video. 

(There are people behind me, why would I spit on the water font? I want to ask forgiveness from all Catholics if I have sinned.)

According to the Misamis Occidental Provincial Police Office, the Jimenez, Misamis Occidental local government unit and church officials plan to file charges against the vlogger.

The woman may face charges for offending religious feelings, it added. –NB/RF, GMA Integrated News