Bishop & Parish Priest Caught on CCTV Fighting Inside Church in Tondo, Manila
A bishop and a parish priest were caught on CCTV allegedly having a fight inside a church in Tondo, Manila.
The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) stated that the incident was just a misunderstanding between the two clergy members. The altercation took place inside St. Joseph Parish in Gagalingan, Tondo.
Parochial Administrator Fr. Alfonso Valeza claimed that during the incident inside the church office, Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias attempted to choke him.
The argument reportedly stemmed from Valeza’s removal from the parish due to his accusations against other priests for alleged corruption. “Nabigla ako kasi talagang sinakal ako dito na napakahigpit,” Valeza recounted.
“Sabi nya sa ‘kin, ‘Hindi may decision na, lumayas ka na dito’, Parang mayroong nag-petition letter laban sa akin kaya sabi ko bigay niyo sa amin yung petition letter, because it is our right,” Valeza added.
A female parishioner attempted to step in during the altercation, but Bishop Tobias pushed her away, according to CCTV evidence. Bishop Tobias’s representative, the Archdiocese of Manila, explained the situation.
The Archdiocese acknowledged that the disturbance had been partly brought about by the parish’s improper transition, but they made it clear that Tobias was just attempting to calm Valeza down and had no malicious intent.
“Ayun na nga parang nagwawala si Father Al. Parang hindi naman siya sinakal, parang pina-pacify siya ni Bishop, pero the interpretation was sinasakal,” said Fr. Reginald Malicdem, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Manila.
Previously, a priest performs blessing ceremony on toddler’s playhouse, goes viral
Due to his “unstable personality,” Valeza was removed from the parish after he disobeyed Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula’s order to receive counseling for the previous two years.
“Meron kasing history of defiance si Father Al. Before in-assign ni Cardinal si Father Al doon sa parish, may kundisyon na binigay si Cardinal, you have to undergo some renewal program to help his personality,” Malicdem explained.
Valeza’s dismissal had nothing to do with the accusations of corruption he made within the Catholic Church, the investigation made clear.
The social media users expressed their reactions to the post:
Corruption?! Check niyo din po Holy Redeemer parish. Sana mapansin to ng Diocese of Cubao. 🙏
as usual, catholic church denial and cover-up…hanggang rome yan ..its public knowledge…