CEBU CITY (Updated) - The priest who berated a 17-year-old single mother during a baptism last Sunday apologized Tuesday, describing his behavior as unbecoming and cruel.
Fr. Romeo Obach’s letter was released to reporters by Fr. Alfonso Suico Jr., media liaison of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (C.Ss.R), two days after the incident involving Kaye (real name withheld) in the Sacred Heart Chapel in Barangay Jagobiao, Mandaue City.
“I am now making a public heartfelt apology to the mother of the child and her immediately family. The words I said and the rude attitude that I showed before I performed the rite of baptism last Sunday...was indeed unbecoming,” Obach wrote.
“I deeply regret that I have done this. I only later realized how cruel my ways to educate and impart lessons for the said event.”
The congregation also apologized for Obach’s behavior, saying it was “contrary to the charism and mission for which our congregation was founded—compassion, especially to the poor and the most abandoned.” It said that Fr. Obach has been a priest for 28 years.
Fr. Romeo Obach cannot say mass as he was suspended by his superior pending investigation. @sunstarcebu @sunstaronline
— kevin lagunda (@lagunda23) July 8, 2014
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