Priest ‘misunderstood’ on Pope remark

CEBU CITY -- There is more to Pope Francis than his preference for taking the bus to work and cooking his own meals, Msgr. Achilles Dakay of the Cebu Archdiocese said.

Dakay told Sun.Star Cebu that he was misunderstood in his comments about the new pontiff who has been described to be a man with a simple lifestyle.

Interviewed on radio about the new pope last week, Dakay said he didn’t believe reports that Pope Francis, back in Buenos Aires, Argentina where he was the archbishop, rented an apartment instead of staying at the Archbishop’s Palace, took the bus instead of a car, and cooked his meals.

He had said that it was more likely that Pope Francis, then known as Jorge Mario Cardinal Bergoglio, would do those things occasionally. He went on to say that Cebuanos couldn’t expect their priests to take the Ceres bus and do what Pope Francis did.

Dakay’s statements drew flak from those who heard about what he said. They said Dakay and some priests lead a lifestyle that is contrary to what is expected of them, with their expensive cars and pampered living.

Dakay, in an interview with Sun.Star Cebu, said it would not be good to “believe one person’s description” of the pope.

“As if that is all he does,” he said, referring to Bergoglio’s cooking and taking the bus.

He is unfazed by the criticisms on his comments about the newly elected pope.

Dakay said he was interviewed only once and by one person. Frank Malilong interviewed him on his radio program Frankahay Ta.

“Nanggawas na sa media, wala nay nangutana nako balik,” Dakay said.

He said he is impressed by the simplicity of the first non-European pope, who has since celebrated his first mass as pope and met with all the members of the College of Cardinals and media practitioners based in Rome, Italy.

“I was impressed by his homily, which he delivered at the pulpit,” said Dakay. (BAP/Sun.Star Cebu)