PHILIPPINES
Rappler
[with video]
BY RAPPLER.COM
POSTED ON 06/11/2013
MANILA, Philippines – A veteran journalist launches a book on the abuses of bishops and priests. The book “Altar of Secrets” is the first of its kind in the Philippines.
Paterno Esmaquel reports.
(Watch Rappler’s video report below.)
(The script of the video report follows)
In the Vatican, Pope Francis denounces the hypocrisy of priests, admonishes “intolerant” Catholics, and says prelates should become “shepherds… and not collectors of antiques and novelties.”
In the Philippines, veteran journalist Aries Rufo launches a groundbreaking book called “Altar of Secrets.”
The first of its kind in the Philippines, the book exposes sexual misconduct, political interference, and financial mismanagement by bishops and priests.
These include investigative stories on a high-ranking prelate who fathered a child and later resigned, and on multimillion-peso donations to Radyo Veritas that remain unaccounted for.
ARIES RUFO, AUTHOR, ‘ALTAR OF SECRETS’: That’s a lie, bishop. Who told you that?” Bishop responds nervously: “Office, the office.”
The book also includes some of Rufo’s most heated discussions with Catholic bishops.
RUFO: So if I will ask for all the donations received for all the calamity victims and all the disbursements, will you be able to give these to me?”
BISHOP JESSE MERCADO: I think we have the right to ask also. Why?
RUFO: For publication.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.