St. John the Baptist Church Reopens in Unity
The St. John the Baptist Parish Church in Jimenez, Misamis Occidental, has officially reopened after a temporary closure prompted by an incident involving a woman spitting into the church’s holy water font. This four-word keyphrase event drew significant attention and led to a period of reflection and penance for the community.
According to community members, the church held a solemn Holy Mass and Rite of Reopening and Reconsecration on August 16, 2025. Archbishop Martin Jumoad, accompanied by priests from the Archdiocese of Ozamis, led the ceremony, marking a hopeful new chapter for the parishioners.
Community’s Spiritual Response and Healing
Photos shared by local leaders showed numerous parishioners, many dressed in white, participating in a heartfelt procession. Their presence symbolized a strong message of hope, healing, and renewal. The church expressed in a statement, “Their presence and prayers stand as a powerful testimony of a community united in hope, healing, and renewal.”
Prior to the reopening, the parish organized a prayer vigil, which many community members attended. These gatherings were part of their collective effort to spiritually prepare for the church’s reconsecration and restoration.
Closure Triggered by Viral Incident
Earlier, a viral video showed a woman spitting into the holy water font, an act that sparked widespread outrage among churchgoers and social media users alike. Officials reported that Archbishop Jumoad considered this a “grave act of sacrilege,” prompting him to order the church’s temporary closure on August 5, 2025.
The closure was intended as a period of penance and reparation. Jumoad emphasized that reopening would only occur after the parish observed suitable acts of penance, including participating in the Holy Hour, confession, and undergoing a pastoral assessment.
Steps Toward Reopening
On August 11, parish priest Rolly Lagada petitioned Archbishop Jumoad to reopen the church. He highlighted the parishioners’ united efforts in “prayer, penance, and unity” as concrete spiritual steps toward restoring the church’s sanctity.
Following this, the archdiocese’s board of consultors convened and recommended reopening the church. Consequently, the church doors were reopened on August 16, 2025, marking a significant moment of renewal for the Jimenez community.
For more news and updates on St. John the Baptist Church, visit Filipinokami.com.
