G.R. No. L-3356, October 21, 1908

FACTS: The Roman Catholic Apostolic Church filed an action to recover ownership and possession of various properties (churches, convents, cemeteries, plazas, chapels) in several municipalities of Misamis province which were allegedly being held by the municipalities and/or members of the Independent Filipino Church (Aglipayan Church).

ISSUE: Whether the Roman Catholic Apostolic Church is entitled to the ownership and possession of the properties in question. Whether the court has jurisdiction over tracts of land not directly used in connection with a church, convent, or cemetery.

RULING: The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Roman Catholic Apostolic Church, declaring it the owner and entitled to immediate possession of the described churches, convents, cemeteries, plazas, and chapels in the Municipalities of Langaran, Cagayan, Oroquieta, Jimenez, Initao and Misamis. The respective municipalities and members of the Aglipayan Church were ordered to be ousted and writs of possession were issued. The Court also ruled that it lacks jurisdiction over tracts of land (like the land in barrio Molugan) not directly related to the operation of a church, convent, or cemetery, and therefore eliminated those properties from the complaint.