THINGS APPEARED to have gone out of control in this urbanized town of southern Cebu. Lately, acolytes and lay ministers ask the Archbishop of Cebu to do something in disciplining a priest in the Parish of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Ward III, Minglanilla, Cebu. There is no doubt that priests are priority targets of Satan in his prowling around for souls; but this time the prince of darkness may have succeeded.
Church workers who supposedly have seen the scandal reported that the priest curiously disappeared into the dark portion of the church compound after celebrating the Mass in the parish church. When they followed him, they saw him with a woman waiting in the dark, and had sex with her. The same woman also had been seen entering the church premises at night using a rear gate.
And that seems not to be all there is in this nefarious affair, the priest was also involved with another woman.
Later report indicated that there were two members of the five-member pastoral team who had been allegedly involved in the sexual misdemeanor. The one mentioned above; and the other one allegedly sexually harrassed two acolytes.
After a retreat in a Boljoon, the first priest came back. But this time the team moderator prevented the ministers of the Eucharist who figured in reporting of the priest's misconduct are prevented from serving in the Mass. The acolytes too who accused the second priest of sexual harrassment got eased out.
Later report indicated that there were two members of the five-member pastoral team who had been allegedly involved in the sexual misdemeanor. The one mentioned above; and the other one allegedly sexually harrassed two acolytes.
After a retreat in a Boljoon, the first priest came back. But this time the team moderator prevented the ministers of the Eucharist who figured in reporting of the priest's misconduct are prevented from serving in the Mass. The acolytes too who accused the second priest of sexual harrassment got eased out.
This event obviously has insulted the Blessed Mother, the patroness of the shrine church.
Sources
Bobby Nalzaro, Justin Vestil: "Acolytes, ministers ask Archdiocese: Stop priest who has sex in church compound," SunStar Cebu 10 December 2011 [read report]
Candice Mongaya, Fe Marie Dumaboc: "Minglanilla faithful buck reports of erring parish priest," Cebu Daily News 12 December 2011 [read report]
Bobby Nalzaro: "Priests are threatening 'acolytes'" SunStar Cebu 18 December 2011 [read report]
Bobby Nalzaro: "Team ministry should be disbanded," SunStar Cebu 6 January 2012 [read report]
Bobby Nalzaro: "Priests are threatening 'acolytes'" SunStar Cebu 18 December 2011 [read report]
Bobby Nalzaro: "Team ministry should be disbanded," SunStar Cebu 6 January 2012 [read report]
