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Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Parishioners vs 3 priests
CEBU CITY -- Barely four days after celebrating the feast of their patron saint, Lapu-Lapu City parishioners are demanding the transfer of three priests, including parish priest Rev. Fr. Pedro Arguillas, for alleged corruption.
In a petition dated September 29, the parishioners asked Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal to transfer Fathers Arguillas, Roberto "Bob" Villanueva and Fabian Cayetano.
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The alleged failure of the priests to account for the church's income and expenses from cash donations during every mass and their "hostile attitude" toward different church-based organizations, except for the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC), dismayed the parishioners.
"Please be informed that the parishioners of the Virgen de la Regla are experiencing the anomalies and irregularities done by the priests or Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC) fathers, especially the assigned parish priest," the petition said.
"The priests are corrupt and always asking for a second collection for a certain project, but the project was delayed because they gave priority to buy(ing) luxurious cars, which is in violation of their vow of poverty," it added.
Copies of the petition, which enumerated 16 alleged anomalies, are being passed around the city. As of Tuesday, the petition attracted 1,122 signatures.
The PPC, however, called the petition a black propaganda by a few parishioners. It added that not all signatories are Lapu-Lapu residents, and that copies of the petition are also being circulated in Mandaue City and Consolacion town.
Appeal
Some of the signatories are also members of the Patalinjug, Dungog and Berdin political clans, they said.
"We, your (PPC), are united in our stand against the black propaganda and petition. We therefore humbly request for your support. Be vigilant and strongly refrain from involving yourselves in their case," read a PPC newsletter dated November 12.
Sun.Star Cebu tried to reach the priests at their convent for comments, but was told they were on a retreat and will be back on Friday yet.
But Msgr. Achilles Dakay, Archdiocesan spokesman, said it is Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal's prerogative whether to transfer a priest or not - a decision that cannot depend on a petition.
Dakay said that as soon the Palace receives a copy of the petition, they will follow a procedure that includes calling the priests and petitioners to a meeting.
"Nganong magbuot man sila? Ang Cardinal maoy mo-decide ana (That is the cardinal's decision to make, not theirs)," he said in a telephone interview.
The petition also accused Arguillas, who has been Lapu-Lapu's parish priest since December 2006, of depriving a dying person of his last confession for lack of time or because he was taking the day off.
Audited
But Vitaliano Fortich, PPC president, said that even Mother Butler Mission Guild (MBMG) president Ida Rago can attest that Fr. Arguillas never turned his back on a dying person.
"She herself complained to us that Fr. Arguillas did not (show) up in their scheduled meeting twice because he was hearing the confession of a dying person," he said.
The MBMG, organized by the Archdiocese in 2002 and which holds office beside the parish altar, was not spared. Cardinal Vidal organized the MBMG to help the church through fund-raising drives to meet its needs, including the priests' vestments.
Fortich also denied the absence of an audit report on all funds received by the church and the cost of the projects it is undertaking.
"We have a media board inside the church," he said, adding that it is his group that takes charge of public announcements.
The misunderstanding between the priests and the MBMG started a week before the parish was declared a national shrine last May.
Clothes
An MBMG official, who requested not to be named, said the priests were angry when they refused to turn over the P60,000 that Mayor Arturo Radaza and his wife Paz had donated to them to buy new garments for the image of the city's patron saint. They received a total of P100,000, with the P40,000 reportedly coming from Msgr. Cris Garcia.
She said the priests suggested that only the P40,000 be used and that the P60,000 be saved instead.
But the MBMG defied the suggestion and went to Radaza, requesting for permission to use the money to buy a chalice, ciborium and cruets.
She said that since then, the priests wanted to take over the custody of all church materials, including vestments for priests, as these were reportedly obtained through fund-raising using the name of the parish.
"We could not allow that. We were able to buy these through our efforts. Besides, we are the custodians of this property, which belongs to the parish not to the priests," she said.
The petition also mentioned an incident last March 3 when Cayetano reportedly ordered a parish security guard to destroy the lock to the MBMG's office door, using an ax. (AIV/Sun.Star Cebu)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Baguio. (November 26, 2008 issue)
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