Group asks Cardinal to replace 2 priests

A group of Pardo parishioners calling themselves the Kalihukang Katoliko Karon have requested an audience with Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal and has submitted their petition to the cardinal against two priests of Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Parish in Pardo.

The said group asked for the replacement of Msgr. Constantino Diotay, who has been parish priest for around 11 years now, and Fr. Domingo Tapic.

The group's head Walter Rodrigo Abellanosa said that they have already filed the said petition with the cardinal and want an audience for the said matter. Abellanosa said that they are still waiting for the Cardinal's reply as the prelate is the only one who can solve the said problem.

Last Saturday, around 1,000 parishioners converged infront of the church demanding the two priests to step down, bearing candles and placards, they criticized the two priests for alleged "corruption and ineptness."

Some placards read: "Msgr. Diotay, Fr. Tapic nagsige la'g atik?", and "Ang panapi angay putlon ang altar dili gub-on".

The rallyists, who came from Poblacion Pardo and neighboring barangays of Cogon Pardo, Kinasang-an and Inayawan, asked where the money the parish received during Holy Week went. They said it could "fill a sack".

Others complained against the excessive price for the five-year use of cemetery space, while others against the fees the parish imposed for the use of the parking spaces inside the church compound and fees on children attending a parish foundation school.

"Motu-o ba ta nga kung foundation na pabayron ang mga bata?" Abellanosa asked.

Earlier, Diotay said all the income goes directly to parish treasurer Lilian Meneses.

The parish is currently undergoing renovation for its 140th anniversary celebration this September.

The project, costing P.5 million, has the blessing of Vidal, and is in accordance with liturgical norms outlined by Msgr. Cris Garcia, chairman of the Cebu Archdiocese commission on worship, Diotay added.

Among the planned improvements is for the altar to be lowered so people can see the tabernacle, which Diotay described as among the most beautiful in the archdiocese.

Chairs will also be set up in both sides of the church for the priest and liturgical readers while the floor will be covered with marble and granite. - Jasmin R. Uy