FOUR months after the controversial removal of its parish priest, the St. Joseph Parish in Gagalangin in Tondo, Manila now has a new pastor — Fr Douglas Badong.
Badong’s predecessor, Fr. Alfonso Valeza, was relieved from his post last June.
Valeza’s relief gained public attention as a video showing him in a scuffle with retired Bishop Antonio Tobias, who heads the Manila Archdiocesan Commission on Clergy Concern, inside the parish office went viral.
The altercation with Tobias supposedly occurred as Valeza continued to refuse to comply with an order issued by Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula, relieving his of his duties as parish parochial administrator effective June 3.
Valeza has also been suspended from exercising priestly faculties, effective June 5.
Badong, prior to his appointment, served as parish priest of the Nuestra Señora De La Soledad Parish in Binondo, Manila.
The Archdiocese of Manila announced Badong’s new assignment, effective November 4.
