Monday, February 04, 2008 Speak out: Archdiocesan revamp: Call of change By A concerned Catholic
“THE Archdiocese of Cebu said priests must need the call of change to demonstrate that the meaning of their ministry is not only for themselves but for others,” Sun.Star Cebu said in its January 27, 2008 issue. “Starting this week, 59 parishes will be affected by the transfer of new priests,” the report continued.
“The term of office (of some priests) are over. They are staying (in their current parishes) for over eight years now, I think. Whoever has served for more than six years will be transferred,” Cardinal Ricardo Vidal was quoted as saying.
What we cannot quite understand about this archdiocesan call is that to them, change merely means transfer of assignment. To us, change has a deeper meaning; it is a painful process since it involves sacrifice. True, there are many priests, especially those who are well-placed, who will be hurt by this transfer but there are also those who will be jumping with joy like a turtle about to be thrown into the river.
But then, there is a twist in the decision. “Depending on the discretion of Cardinal Vidal, priests with parish-related projects may NOT BE transferred until these projects are completed.” So after all, it is not “those who have served for more than six years” rule that matters but those favored priests with uncompleted parish-related projects. For what can prevent these favored priests from dilly-dallying the completion of their projects until heaven knows when – just so they cannot be uprooted from their comfort zones?
“The reality that a priest cannot fully cure one place that he must move on with his service to God is part of the priest’s ministry. This is the truth behind the implementation of the transfer of several priests to new parish assignments.”
Sorry, but we have to ask this question if a priest cannot fully cure one place, how can he be expected to fully cure the next place? If the archdiocesan hierarchy is indeed determined to effect desirable results in its call for change, it is our strong belief that transferring of priests from one place to another is not necessary – not the answer. For you take out a well-respected, well-loved priest from his parish, disappointment and demoralization will result… If you transfer a problematic and much-hated priest, his original parishioners will rejoice but his future parishioners will suffer.
What the archdiocese hierarchy should have done is continuously monitor their priests and listen to the pulse of the parishioners. In the event there are reports of malfeasance they should immediately conduct investigations and if found guilty, the priest involved should be punished with justice.
