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Tuesday, July 23, 2002
EDITORIAL: Old approach won’t work
The accusation of sexual molestation against Augustinian priest Apolinario Mejorada can be considered another proof of the old Cebuano saying “way aso nga makumkom.”
But it can also be likened to a jet of air that finally caused a balloon to burst or a flow that pushed the pressure of water in a dam to the breaking point. Or to use an old saying, this could only be the tip of the iceberg.
Before the case reached the local media, reports of priests’ misconduct have swept the world, and have prodded Cebuanos to look around their own backyard for similar incidents of abuse both past and present.
Actually, rumors about the actuation of erring priests have been with us since Christianity took hold of the archipelago. Jose Rizal tackled the matter well through the fictional character Father Damaso in his “Noli Me Tangere.”
But the rumors have largely remained just that—rumors. This could be attributed either to the success of those concerned and even their superiors to cover up these incidents.
Or to the hesitance of the victims to come out in the open for one reason or another, including faith’s hold on them and their fear of the institution or the pressure put to bear on them by their relatives and the faithful.
But given their widespread nature and the length of time involved, it would be safe to assume some of the claims may have been true. And that sooner or later some of these cases would be brought into the open.
At this stage, however, it would be wrong to hastily make conclusions before all information are in regarding the claim of four altar boys of the Basilica del Sto. Niño that Mejorada sexually abused them.
Also, it would be good not to lose sight of the fact that majority of the Augustinian priests, or the other priests in Cebu, have not been accused of any shenanigan.
The problem comes, however, when the archdiocese and the Augustinian community mishandle the case or whitewash other accusations involving priests past and present.
What they should understand is that the Mejorada case is part of the worldwide shift in the attitude of the faithful and society and that old approaches, like hiding cases of abuse, may no longer work and may even alienate more people from the Church.
Only openness and a no-nonsense approach against erring priests will save the Church from the crisis it is now in.
Missing the point
After the Mejorada case was exposed, some priests and religious people raised points that tended to muddle instead of clarify the issue. Among them:
l Why the local media reported the case when it happened years ago and a settlement was already in effect. (As if reporting the case was more objectionable than the alleged misconduct)
l That the victims are to blame because they did not resist, or its variation: that the victims only wanted to make money. (As if the victims sinned more than the alleged perpetrator.)
l That people should not go hard against the priest because he is only human, or its variation: that the priest did good things and should not be condemned. (As if being a priest already gives a person the right to commit questionable acts.)
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