Archbishop of Manila suspends Tondo priest

MANILA, Philippines – The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila has suspended a Tondo priest from all clerical activities due to his “persistent opposition” to Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula.

The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila said in a statement on Thursday that Rev. Alfonso Valeza is relieved of his duties as parish administrator of St. Joseph Parish in Gagalangin, Tondo, effective June 3. This means that “from then on, any action he takes with respect to this position is impermissible,” the report said.

READ: Priest suspended for running for local council in 2022 elections

Valeza was also suspended from the exercise of his priestly ministry effective June 5 because he “continued to resist the Archbishop of Manila despite orders and warnings.”

The statement, signed by the Chancellor of the Archbishop of Manila, Father Isidro Marinay, did not provide any specific reasons for Valeza’s suspension.

READ: Mayoral candidate of CamSur priest is ‘irrevocably’ suspended from his spiritual duties

“He is therefore forbidden to administer the sacraments. Any sacrament he administers is illicit,” the statement said.

Advincula will take over the leadership of St. Joseph’s Parish through a new pastoral team led by Father Reginald Malicdem.