Catholic Priest Suspended over Nightclub Video

GMA News
October 2, 2012

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/276544/news/metromanila/catholic-priest-suspended-over-nightclub-video

A Catholic priest, whose parish was in Quezon City, has been stripped of his clerical obligations after he was caught on television inside a nightclub, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines said Tuesday.

Fr. Alfredo Guerrero was suspended and replace as parish priest of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help by Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco last week, said Cubao diocese spokesman Fr. Ariston Sison said on Catholic Church-run Radio Veritas.

Sison said the action was taken to "avoid further harm, further scandal and to help the priest not to fall into a greater sin.”

He said Guerrero will also undergo a rehabilitation program, which is standard procedure for erring priests, so he would get a second chance to reform.

In the meantime, he said Guerrero is not allowed to officiate Mass or administer other sacraments until Ongtioco lifts the suspension order.

“We ask pardon for all of the people who have been scandalized for this action of Fr. Bong but at the same time we ask for your understanding and compassion and above all, please pray for Fr. Bong and please pray for the Church,” Sison said. — DVM, GMA News