After a Dark Chapter, Liloan’s Oldest Church Opens Its Doors Once More
LILOAN – The San Fernando El Rey Parish in Liloan has reopened nearly a month after a tragic incident forced the beloved church to close its doors.
The San Fernando El Rey Parish in Liloan, Cebu, has once again opened its doors to churchgoers, nearly a month after it was temporarily closed due to a tragic crime that occurred inside its premises.
The parish halted all public activities on October 24 after a 44-year-old woman was killed within the church. Authorities revealed that CCTV recordings captured the victim being attacked and strangled moments before her death. The disturbing nature of the incident prompted church officials to close the parish and prepare for the necessary rites to reconsecrate the sacred space.
Cebu Archbishop Albert Uy presided over the reconsecration ceremonies as well as the Mass that officially marked the reopening of the historic church. During his homily, he offered words of comfort and hope to the community still shaken by the incident. “In the end, the Lord will not only open the door of the church but also heaven,” Bishop Uy said in Cebuano, emphasizing that the church’s return symbolizes spiritual healing for the people.
Archbishop Uy acknowledged the emotional toll the temporary closure had on the faithful, noting that the people of Liloan were deprived of their spiritual home for several weeks. “We want to share that it is not sin or evil that will reign but the love of God,” he added, reminding parishioners that faith and compassion remain stronger than violence.
The reopening coincided with the celebration of Christ the King, making the occasion even more meaningful for the community. Parishioners gathered in large numbers to witness the rites and to collectively reclaim the sacredness of the space that had been marred by the tragedy.
San Fernando El Rey Parish, established in 1847, holds deep historical and cultural significance in Liloan as the town’s largest church. Its reopening marks a renewed chapter for the parish and its people—one rooted in resilience, unity, and the enduring assurance that light prevails over darkness.