Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David is calling on Filipino Catholics to take a more active role in reporting clergy accused of misconduct.
This plea follows the launch of a troubling database by BishopsAccountability.org on January 29, which names 82 priests and brothers publicly accused of abusing minors in the Philippines.
David strongly urged Catholics to report any “erring priests” to both civil and Church authorities.
He highlighted the need for accountability within the Church, referencing Pope Francis’ ongoing efforts to establish systems that ensure such abuses do not happen again.
“Please don’t hesitate to file complaints against abusive clerics, whether in civil or Church forums,” David stated in his January 31 message.
“Pope Francis has been clear on the importance of check and balance systems to ensure accountability and protect vulnerable individuals.”
The Church’s Challenges and the Role of the Lay Community
While acknowledging that the Church has struggled to hold accused clergy accountable, David stressed the importance of collaboration with the lay community, including journalists, to safeguard minors and vulnerable adults.
He believes that the Church cannot do it alone and needs external support to achieve real change.
The new database also includes allegations about Filipino priests who served in the U.S. as well as priests from the U.S., Ireland, and Australia who worked in the Philippines.
This reveals the global nature of the issue, underscoring the need for international cooperation in tackling clergy abuse.
Dealing with Suspended U.S. Priests
David expressed concerns about how the Church in the Philippines should handle cases of U.S. priests who have been suspended or are attempting to return to active ministry.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has been uncertain about how to address these situations, particularly when priests may be hiding in the country.
“It’s important that local bishops in the States inform us here in the Philippines about such cases,” David remarked.
He emphasized the need for effective communication and coordination between dioceses in the U.S. and the Philippines to deal with these challenges properly.
Responses from Bishops in the Visayas
Bishops from the Visayas region have responded to the allegations mentioned in the database.
Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu clarified that most of the clergy named in the report linked to his archdiocese have either been dismissed or have passed away.
He noted that three clergy members were reintegrated after going through the necessary legal and canonical processes.
Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of the Diocese of San Carlos also addressed the accusations regarding two priests under ecclesiastical review.
He reaffirmed the diocese’s commitment to cooperating with civil authorities and ensuring a fair and just process for those involved.
Steps Toward Greater Accountability
Pope Francis has been instrumental in pushing for stronger safeguards within the Church, including the creation of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.
Following this directive, the CBCP has established its own Office on the Protection of Minors, led by Archbishop Florentino Lavarias.
Additionally, each diocese in the Philippines is now required to have a safeguarding office overseen by the local bishop.
These initiatives aim to increase accountability and protect vulnerable individuals from harm.
While progress is being made, there are still significant challenges ahead as the Church works to fully address the ongoing issue of clergy misconduct.
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