BishopAccountability.org
Bishops Warn of Two Erring Priests

Manila Standard
November 15, 2011

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNation.htm?f=2011/november/15/nation4.isx&d=2011/november/15

The Catholic church has warned of two Catholic priests who continue to celebrate mass although they have been suspended for breaking ecclesiastical order three years ago.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines said the priests Fr. Efren Avenido and Roque Bacayo were both suspended from their priestly ministry since 2008.

In statement issued by the CBCP, Daet Bishop Gilbert Garcera said that Bacayo continue to celebrate Mass in Metro Manila while Avenido holds mass in the Bicol region.

Bacayo was suspended on Dec. 21, 2008 for violation of Canon 1371 or "delicts against ecclesiastical authorities." The priest, according to Garcera, refused parish assignments twice and resisted to work inside his diocese of incardination.

He also committed an offense against the Church law for trafficking in Mass offerings, in the context of unlawful manipulation of Mass stipends in order to gain or make profit.

Avenido was suspended on Feb. 18, 2008 due to "delicta graviora" or an offense committed against morals as specified in the motu propio "Sacramentorum Sanctitatis Tutela".

Garcera, however, did not specify the kind of offence that Avenido committed that spurred the diocese to suspend him.

"We would like to reiterate that Fr. Avenido and Fr. Bacayo remain suspended and thus cannot discharge their ministerial duties," Garcera said in a circular issued recently.

"A person who illegitimately makes a profit from a Mass offering is to be punished with a censure or another just penalty," the CBCP said.

Garcera also notified other bishops in Metro Manila and Bicol region to "warn your parishioners and others who may be misled by these erring priests. Vito Barcelo


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