Bishop orders Subic chapel temporarily closed after desecration

A "grave act of desecration" was committed inside a chapel in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone and has been ordered temporarily closed by the bishop of the Diocese of Iba.

In a statement, Bishop Bartolome Santos Jr. said this was due to "acts of vandalism which gravely offended the sanctity of a sacred place" committed on Jan. 18.

“The Sacred Host in the Monstrance was left in pieces on the floor, the monstrance was destroyed, and sacred images were broken," he said.

The temporary closure of the chapel, Bishop Santos said, is pursuant to Canon 1211 of the Code of Canon Law that the local ordinary on instances that "sacred places are violated by gravely injurious actions" which causes scandal to the faithful and are so "grave and contrary to the holiness of the place" that worship may not be celebrated until due reparations is made."

Santos added that the acts were committed by a person suffering from mental instability and could be linked to abuse of prohibited substances.

“Considering the mental condition of the person responsible, no canonical penalty is imposed,” the prelate said.

"Instead, we commend him to the mercy of God and pray for his healing, while entrusting the faithful community to the consoling presence of the Lord."

Meanwhile, all sacramental celebrations and acts of worship are suspended immediately until a penitential rite of reparation is conducted.

The faithful are encouraged to pray before the Blessed Sacrament in other churches, practice fasting or works of charity and "prayers for healing, peace, and reverence for the Holy Eucharist." — BAP, GMA Integrated News