NAGA CITY — The Parish Church of San Francisco de Asis will remain closed until July 2 following the tragic death of an individual within its premises on Sunday evening, the Archdiocese of Caceres announced.

In a statement on Monday, Fr. Darius Romualdo, chancellor of the archdiocese, said the closure was mandated by Canons 1211–1212 of the Code of Canon Law, which requires the temporary cessation of public worship in sacred places desecrated by grave incidents.

“The Parish Church of San Francisco de Asis will remain closed until July 2, 2025, to allow for a period of prayerful mourning and reparation. During this time, public liturgical celebrations will be suspended,” Romualdo said.

He added that a Rite of Reparation and Healing will be held on the evening of July 2 to restore the sacred character of the church and provide an opportunity for communal healing.

The archdiocese expressed its deepest sympathies to the bereaved family, offering prayers and support in the wake of the tragedy.

“In these moments of sorrow and uncertainty, the Church offers not judgment, but the hope of Christ’s mercy, who came to bind up the wounded and heal the brokenhearted,” Romualdo said. “We ask for prudence and sobriety, especially on social media.”

To support those affected, the archdiocese is offering the services of licensed psychologists and trained pastoral counselors for trauma debriefing and spiritual accompaniment. The initiative covers the deceased’s immediate family, parishioners who witnessed the incident, and parish clergy and staff.

Church officials also said they are closely coordinating with local authorities as investigations continue. (PNA)