The Archdiocese of Manila suspended Rev. Fr. Alfonso Valeza.
"Because of his persistent defiance to the Archbishop of Manila despite orders and warnings, Fr. Valeza is likewise suspended from exercising priestly faculties effective 5 June 2024," the archdiocese said in a statement.
"He is therefore prohibited from administering the sacraments. Any sacrament he administers is illicit," the archdiocese added.
The archdiocese also stressed that Fr. Valeza has been relieved of his duties as Parochial Administrator of the St. Joseph Parish in Tondo, Manila, since Monday, June 4, and labeled any action that he did, relation to his former position after the said date, as illicit.
The removal of Fr. Valeza came after a viral video showed him in an altercation with Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias.
Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula appointed a three-man parish administration team composed of Rev. Fr. Reginald Malicdem, Rev. Fr. Nolan Que, and Rev. Fr. Gilbert Kabigting, to supervise St. Joseph Parish.
Tha Archdiocese of Manila urged parish goers to respect the decision.
"We exhort the lay faithful of St. Joseph Parish to abide by this decision and cooperate with the parish administration team," the archdiocese said.
"Let us entrust ourselves to the maternal care of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the prayers of St. Joseph," the archdiocese added.
