Negros diocese vows cooperation in probe into priest rape claim

BISHOP Gerardo

Alminaza of San Carlos on Tuesday said the diocese would “fully cooperate” in the investigation into allegations that a priest raped a 17-year-old girl.

Saying that rape is a “grave crime,” he said the local Church in Negros Occidental province wants “the truth to come out and for justice to be served accordingly”.

“Together with the whole diocese, we commit to provide the needed information openly and honestly to the public without reservations,” Alminaza said in a statement March 28.

The church, according to him, will proceed with its own canonical process on the case involving Fr. Conrado Mantac, who was arrested in a village in Bacolod City on March 27.

Mantac, he said, was stripped of his priestly duties while he was being investigated by the authorities.

“For the meantime, we suspend all ministries with regard to his pastoral duties in the diocese,” Alminaza said.

The prelate then assured the alleged victim and her family of the diocese’s support and protection.

“I deeply feel the suffering of the victim and her family and entrust her to the rightful agency which can provide proper care and assistance,” he added.

The bishop asked the faithful to pray for Fr. Mantac and the alleged victim from the city of Sagay, as well to show them care.

“Please pray that the authorities, the lawyers, the guardians, and all other parties involved, including myself, will carry out our obligations in an honest and truthful manner,” he added. CBCP News

Weare entering into the Holy Week with the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem. He was greeted with great rejoicing, as befitting a king, “Hosanna to the Son of David” (Mt. 21:9). This was the messianic expectation. Jesus was being welcomed as the Messiah who would deliver the Israelites from their oppressors, such as the Romans during that time. Most of this crowd would be disappointed that their expectation of an earthly ruler like King David was not what Jesus came for. Frustration would lead to anger and the crowd who welcomed Him as king would also shout, “Crucify him!” (Lk. 19:6-7).

The Last Temptation

Reflections

Fr. Antonio P. Pueyo, DCC tonypoy_dcc0@yahoo.com

Jesus was tempted, but at the end He surrendered Himself to God, “Father, take this cup of suffering away from me, yet not my will but your will be done” (Mk. 14:36). The temptation would persist until the cross so that Jesus would exclaim, “My God, my God, why did you abandon me?” (Mk. 15:34). Finally, Jesus abandoned Himself to the Father’s will, “Father, into you hands I commend my spirit” (Lk. 23:46).

Jesus would walk another path rather than the expected role of becoming an earthly conqueror and king. He would walk the way of the cross, the way of suffering. This was what the Father expected of Him. This was to be His destiny. Of course, He was tempted to turn away from this plan. By all means the way of suffering seems to be unreasonable. The hours spent in the garden of Gethsemane were hours spent struggling with this last temptation. We may recall Jesus’ first temptations after his forty days of fasting in the desert to prepare Himself for his public mission. The devil tempted him through his appetites and sensual inclinations. Jesus resisted the devil and it was written, “the Devil left Him for another time” (Lk.4:13). The next time would be in the garden of Gethsemane. He was tempted to escape and go away. It was not yet too late. He could begin a new life. In Nikos Kazantzatki’s novel called The Last Temptation, other possibilities were shown had Jesus escaped the Cross. He could have lived a normal life. It is one of the “what ifs” of history. What if Jesus chose to escape the cross?. He could have been another rabbi or miracle worker, but not a Savior. Had Jesus chosen to escape the Cross, would there have been salvation?

During this Holy Week, let us reflect on God’s challenges and plans for us. We are called to different vocations. We all have our destinies, in accordance with the gifts and endowments given us. I remember Robert Frost’s poem about choosing one’s path in life, “I shall be telling this with a sigh/Somewhere ages and ages hence:/ Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—/I took the one less traveled by,/And that has made all the difference.”

Whether we choose the road less traveled by or the more traveled road, the important things is to discern if the road we choose is according to God’s design. Perhaps we have been following roads that lead us to perdition. Perhaps we have not resisted temptations. This Holy Week is a time for examining ourselves and setting new directions in our life.

For younger people, look at the road you are taking or about to take, is this path in accord with God’s will? Is this where you can be the best of yourself? For those already in middle age, what avenues are still open for you? Are you being called to a better way to love and to serve given the choices you have already made? To senior citizens who are almost at the end of the journey, do you have regrets or are you thankful? Are you sharing your wisdom and counsel with those who need it? In whatever time in life we are, may the road we choose lead to life and be a participation in the saving work of Jesus.

Have a Blessed and Holy Week.

Readings: no. 257, p. 486

1st Reading: Isaiah 42.1-7

Gospel: John 12.1-11

Readings: no. 258, p. 488

1st Reading: Isaiah 49.1-6

Gospel: John 13.21-33, 36-38

Readings: no. 259, p. 491

1st Reading: Isaiah 50.4-9a

Gospel: Matthew 26.14-26

Readings: no. 39, p. 256; BG, p. 184

1st Reading: Exodus 12.1-8, 11-14

2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 11.23-26

Gospel: John 13.1-15

1st Reading: Isaiah 52.13–53.12

2nd Reading: Hebrews 4.14-16; 5.7-9

Gospel: John 18.1–19.42

At the Easter Vigil

Readings: no. 41, pp. 278-299; BG, p. 205

Gospel (Year A): Matthew 28.1-10