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	Catholic Faithful Asked to Pray for Sanctity of Priests By Maricar M. Calubiran News Today [Philippines] February 26, 2007 http://www.thenewstoday.info/2007/02/26/catholic.faithful.asked.to.pray.for.sanctity.of.priests.html The integrity of the Catholic church has been put to test with the recent controversy pertaining to the alleged rape case involving one of its priests. As a result, in every mass the Catholic faithful are requested to pray for the sanctity of priests. Priests under the archdiocese are saddened by the controversy. Rev. Fr. Philipp Niel Antenor-Cruz admitted that the controversy has affected the church which is why it is being taken "very seriously." A church investigation on the allegation that Fr. Martin Alarcon has raped his 25-year old girlfriend has commenced. Alarcon was charged by his alleged girlfriend of two counts of rape at the Iloilo City Prosecutors Office. Said priest has been stripped of his pastoral duties pending investigation of his case. Fr. Antenor, who is a member of the Commission of the Clergy, said the controversy is a "learning experience" for the Church. Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Arnold Betita of Carles who heads the town's Parish Pastoral Council said they fully support Alarcon despite of what happened. He said it is not yet clear if the allegations of his accuser were true. Betita said there must have been a misunderstanding between the two and he is hoping that it could be threshed out soon. The parish of St. Therese of Avila where the priest was assigned prior to the controversy is ready to extend whatever help the Alarcon family needs in the course of the investigation, said Betita.
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