The Catholic Church indefinitely closed a church in Jimenez, Misamis Occidental after a female vlogger allegedly spat into its holy water font recently, an incident that was recorded and became viral online.

Ozamiz Archbishop Martin Jumoad slammed the incident that he described as a called “grave act of sacrilege” against a sacred object intended for the sanctification of the faithful.

Jumoad said the closure is in line with Church law and it is also a liturgical and pastoral response meant to foster repentance and communal reparation.

He said the parish church of Saint John the Baptist will remain closed until further notice as a sign of penance and reparation.

“This is to invoke conversion of heart and communal purification as guided by Catholic teaching,” said Jumoad who directed that an Holy Hour of Adoration and a service for solemn confessions be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 7, to aid in the community’s spiritual healing.

No date was set for the church reopening.

Jumoad said the church’s reopening will depend on the faithful’s participation in the acts of penance and a pastoral assessment of the parish’s spiritual disposition.

He warned the vlogger who has since apologized in tears.

"It is a grave sin and desecration that carries ecclesiastical penalties and jeopardizes the person’s communion with God and the Church," Jumaod said.

He advised her to repent.

“Immediate confession and sincere repentance are required to restore one’s standing in the community of faith."

Jumoad called for renewed reverence and spiritual commitment among the faithful. “Sacred objects and places are vessels of God’s grace and deserve our utmost respect and reverence.”