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Friday, August 11, 2006
Cardinal gags all his priests
A couple of days after issuing a gag order against Santander parish priest Fr. Jovencio Rabusa, Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal also told other priests to refrain from commenting on issues that are under investigation.
Reporters visited the Archbishop’s Palace yesterday but were informed that Cardinal Vidal no longer wants to comment on such issues as the proposals to split Cebu into four provinces, the complaints against Fr. Rabusa and the campaign to replace two clergymen at the Pardo Parish.
“The Cardinal told us not to comment on issues that are still under investigation,” confirmed Msgr. Achilles Dakay, archdiocesan media liaison officer.
The expanded gag order was announced on the same day the archdiocese hosted the launching of three media-related events and reinforces the archbishop’s reputation for caution in the midst of controversy.
Sun.Star Cebu received information yesterday that the St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish, where Rabusa has been parish priest for nearly six years, will now be closed except for Sundays.
On Sundays, a visiting priest appointed by the Cebu Archdiocese will officiate the mass, a source said.
Last Tuesday, Cardinal Vidal told Fr. Rabusa not to issue comments regarding the allegations against him. He also asked the priest not to return to the southern town while some parishioners are still agitated.
Some former members of the Parish Pastoral Council have accused the priest of behaving in an abusive manner, while some altar boys have claimed that he either hit or molested them.
Under Canon Law, a priest can go on leave for up to a month.
In the meantime, baptism and burial services in Santander will be handled by nearby priests.
Sun.Star Cebu tried to get confirmation from former Santander parish priest Fr. Maximo Villamor, but failed. Villamor reportedly accompanied Bishop Emilio Bataclan to Santander last Wednesday, to announce the development.
Repeated calls to Fr. Villamor’s mobile phone and landline went unanswered.
Report
On the Pardo campaign that broke out last month, Msgr. Dakay said that the committee handling the investigation has yet to submit a report.
A group called the Kalihukang Katoliko Karon (KKK) 2 has asked the cardinal to oust the team ministry of Msgr. Constantino Diotay and Fr. Domingo Tapic of the Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Parish in Pardo, Cebu City.
KKK 2 hurled accusations of corruption against the two priests, whom they also described as overstaying.
But the root of the problem is the renovation of the church in time for its 140th anniversary in September.
A church insider told Sun.Star Cebu, though, that transferring Diotay and Tapic would cause an unfavorable domino effect, considering that the Cebu Archdiocese is celebrating Cardinal Vidal’s year of jubilees.
As for the proposals to split Cebu into four provinces, Cardinal Vidal, who earlier opposed the move, said he would no longer tackle the issue, as there is nothing he can do anymore.
The House committee on local government recently approved on first reading the bills that seek to create three more provinces in Cebu. The bill, however, has yet to go through two more readings in the Lower House, and opponents are optimistic these will not be enacted into law . (JGA)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (August 11, 2006 issue)
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