Newly installed Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy on Saturday condemned the killing of a woman found inside a church in Liloan, calling the act a “grave act of violence” in a sacred place.

The body of a woman, estimated to be in her 30s, was discovered Friday morning at the San Fernando El Rey Church. Police investigators reported the victim sustained visible head injuries, nosebleeds and bruises on her neck.

Uy expressed deep sorrow and solidarity with the victim’s family, stressing that the incident had caused “profound scandal and pain” among the faithful.

“We unite in prayer for the victim’s family as we condemn in the strongest terms this act of violence committed within the very house of God,” Uy said in a statement.

In response to the crime, Uy decreed the temporary closure of the Liloan Church and suspended all public worship “until proper canonical procedures are completed to ensure the reparation of the church’s dignity.”

He added that the rite of reparation will be determined in consultation with the parish clergy.

The prelate also urged the faithful to respond to the tragedy “not with anger, but with prayer, compassion, and solidarity — especially for the victim and her family.”

“Let us all reaffirm our respect for every human person and for the sanctity of our sacred spaces, which are meant to be places of refuge, reverence and healing,” Uy said.