The Catholic Church in Sta. Fe, Nueva Vizcaya will hold a public penance after unidentified suspects broke into the parish, vandalized the tabernacle, and scattered sacred items.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Bayombong condemned the act strongly and called it a direct attack on the faith and labelled it as "blasphemy."

According to a diocesan report, church staff discovered the break-in and saw the padlocks broken, church offices ransacked, and the Holy Eucharist desecrated on March 17, 2025.

A special Mass and confession will be held outside the parish to bless the new tabernacle.

Police are coordinating with Fr. Virgilio Mendoza, the parish priest, as investigations continue.

In the Catholic Church, public penance is a communal act of repentance aimed at addressing public sins.

It involves the congregation and typically requires the bishop's authority.

Through public penance, the church emphasizes collective accountability and the importance of communal support in the process of repentance.