The Archdiocese of Ozamiz has ordered the temporary closure of St. John the Baptist Church in Jimenez, Misamis Occidental after a video of a content creator allegedly spitting into the holy water font went viral online.

According to the decree issued by the archdiocese, the incident was a grave act of sacrilege as the holy water font is a sacred object that must be treated with reverence and respect.

“Dili kini dula-dula lang giyamayamaan ug gipanamastasan ang atong simbahan mao nga kini atong iuli ug ihalad sa Ginoo pag-usab kay ang balaod sa simabahan mao ang kaluwasan sa tao pero kung adunay magbinuang sa maong kaluwasan duna pud ta’y responsibilidad,” Ozamiz Archbishop Martin Jumoad said.

Because of the incident, the archdiocese implemented liturgical and penitential measures by closing the church until further notice as a sign of penance and reparation.

To restore the sanctity of the parish, a holy hour of adoration and solemn confessions has been scheduled at 3 p.m. on August 7, 2025.

The archdiocese clarified that reopening the church will only be permitted after the faithful have taken part in the scheduled holy hour and confession and after a pastoral assessment has been conducted.

“Until further notice tungod kay usa kini ka dako nga salaod, dili lamang sa usa ka tao kung dili apektado ang katawhan tungod sa corporate sin. Hinaut unta nga aduna tay penitensya nga himuon ug sakripisyo nga himuon,” Jumoad added.

The archdiocese also issued a stern warning to the individual responsible, noting that the profanation of sacred objects constitutes grave sin and desecration under the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

“May the faithful be reminded that sacred objects and places are vessels of God’s grace and deserve our utmost respect and reverence,” the decree said.

DENIAL

However, in a video uploaded by the content creator, she clarified that she did not spit into the holy water font. Instead, she said she only leaned over to make a wish.

She also asked for forgiveness from the Catholic Church.

“Naa’y mga tao nga nakakita ngano mangluwa man ko nga naa may tao nga nakasunod sa akoa. Gusto ko mangayo og pasaylo sa tanang katoliko kung nakasala ko mangayo kog pasaylo pero wala gud ko nangluwa,” content creator, Thine Medalla, said.

Police said the local government unit and the representatives of the church have already manifested their interest to file a formal complaint against the content creator.

“Possibly sila mag-cite under Article 133 offending the religious feelings,” Misamis Occidental Police Provincial Office Spokesperson, Capt. Angelie Arrienda, said.

The St. John the Baptist Church, one of the oldest churches in the Philippines built in 1862, is among the cultural and religious treasures in Northern Mindanao.

It was declared a National Cultural Treasure in July 2001, according to the Department of Tourism-Northern Mindanao (DOT-10).