PHILIPPINES
ABS-CBN
By Evelyn Macairan, The Philippine Star
Posted at 06/20/2012
MANILA, Philippines – Parañaque Bishop Jesse Mercado is being accused by priests and parishioners of allegedly misusing funds donated by churchgoers, but removing him from his diocese is a lengthy process, a canon law expert said yesterday.
Former Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz said several letters of complaint sent to the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Giuseppi Pinto, will have to be evaluated. “It is easy to accuse, but whether there is merit or not is another matter,” he said.
Mercado’s accusers said they want Mercado to explain what happened to the funds concerning donations he solicited for victims of typhoon “Ondoy” (P1,368,236); the Haiti earthquake (P168,891); Muntinlupa fire victims (P129,201); typhoon “Sendong” (P970,589); 2011 National Youth Day (P306,123); and Alay Kapwa (P399,942). His diocese covers the cities of Parañaque, Las Piñas and Muntinlupa.
A priest said the funds were reportedly put in an account in a private bank. According to a complaint, while the funds are earning interest, they were not remitted to the churchgoers’ intended beneficiaries.
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