Archbishop of Manila suspends priest involved in dispute with former bishop of Novaliches

MANILA, Philippines – Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula suspended the priest involved in a brawl in Tondo, Manila municipality.

In a statement dated June 5, 2024, Advincula suspended Alfonso Valeza, the parish administrator, from exercising his “priestly powers” ​​due to “persistent resistance.”

“He is therefore forbidden to administer the sacraments. Any sacrament he administers is illegitimate,” the resolution suspending Valeza states.

“We urge the lay faithful of St. Joseph’s parish to abide by this decision and cooperate with the parish’s administrative team,” it continued.

However, the archdiocese did not give the reason for the suspension of the parish administrator.

During Valeza’s suspension, three priests from the Archdiocese of Manila will take over the leadership of the parish.

The parish is led by the following priests:

• Rev. Reginald Malicdem
• Rev. Nolan Que
• Pastor Gilbert Kabigting

Valeza was involved in a brawl with Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Antonio Tobias at St. Joseph Parish in Tondo.

A video report by GMA News showed Tobias detaining Valeza in the parish office.

In the same report, spokesman for the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Jerome Secillano, stated that the dispute was a misunderstanding between Valeza and Tobias.

Secillano also said that Tobias had no intention of hurting Valeza because the retired bishop was older and smaller.

According to the CBCP spokesman, Valeza also defied the archbishop’s order to undergo therapy for his behavior.

Valeza and Tobias have not yet responded to The Request for comment on the suspension.