Manila Archdiocese official says no altercation between Tondo priest, retired bishop | ABS-CBN

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Manila Archdiocese official says no altercation between Tondo priest, retired bishop

Manila Archdiocese official says no altercation between Tondo priest, retired bishop

Jeck Batallones,

ABS-CBN News

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MANILA — The Vicar General for the Archdiocese of Manila clarified in a phone interview that there was no altercation between retired Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias and Fr. Alfonso Valeza of the St. Joseph Parish in Gagalangin, Tondo.

Monsignor Reginald Malicdem said Bishop Tobias was there to ensure that the order of Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula would be enforced. Father Valeza was relieved of his duties as parochial administrator of the parish effective June 3, according to a statement released by the Archdiocese of Manila on Thursday.

"Yung sinasabing sinakal interpretation ng mga taong nandun wala naman dahilan para sakalin ni Bishop si Father Al. Bishop Tobias ay nandun ineencourage si Father Al na sundin yung decision ni Cardinal Advincula na he is relieved of his parish," he said in a phone interview with ABS-CBN News Thursday.

Father Malicdem also mentioned that the accusations of corruption revealed by Father Valeza are currently under investigation.

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"Na-appreciate ni Cardinal kung anuman yung ineexpose nya yung mga sinasabi nya sina-substantiate sa kanya ni Cardinal yun kung may mga evidences siya at binigay lahat ng mga dokumento binigay sa committee ni bishop Tobias para investigate," he explained.

He further explained that Father Valeza was removed from the parish due to allegations of causing division among the parishioners.

"Yung decision na alisin siya sa parish ay nanggaling sa nangyayari sa parokya nagkakaroon kasi ng obvious na heightened division at conflict yung mga tao ipolarize yung pro father Al at anti father Al." He explained.

CBCP EXPLAINS SCOPE OF TONDO PRIEST'S RELIEF

Meanwhile, Father Jerome Secillano, the Executive Secretary of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, explained the scope of Father Valeza’s suspension.

“Sinuspinde yung kanyang priestly faculty, ito yung ibinibigay ng obispo sa isang pari para makapag-deliver ng sacraments, services, makapag-misa, makapag-kumpisal. So yun ang mga kinakailangan ng isang pari. But then again because of this incident, prior pa dyan, dahil nga sinabi dito na disobedient yung pari kaya sinuspinde na ngayon,” he said in an interview with Teleradyo Serbisyo. 

He continued: “Hindi muna siya kinakailangang mag-celebrate nitong mga sacraments dahil meron siyang dinidinig na kaso.”

Father Secillano added that Father Valeza has to undergo counseling and his suspension is indefinite.

“Hindi lang anger management issue. Medyo sensitive ayaw natin pag-usapan yung ano ba talagang ginagawa, nangyayari. Pero hindi gagawa ng ganun ang isang obispo na ipa-undergo siya ng programa kung walang nakikitang problem dun sa pari,” he said.

Father Valeza has yet to issue a statement regarding the suspension order. 

ABS-CBN News also tried to reach out to retired Bishop Tobias but he was also unavailable.

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