Priest’s plan to turn plaza into parking lot opposed

CEBU, Philippines - Parishioners of Sta. Ana Parish Church in Barili have opposed the plan of their parish priest, Monsignor Rolando Jimenez, to convert the church plaza into a pay parking area.

Jimenez reportedly put a signage at the plaza as a temporary parking lot only until the town’s fiesta last July 25 to 26.

However, the parishioners later learned that Jimenez has already hired a consultant to make the design of the pay parking area.

This prompted the Santa Ana Shrine Ecclesiastical Heritage Committee, also known as “Mga Apo ni Santa Ana” in Barili, submitted a manifesto to the Archdiocesan Ecclesiastical Heritage Commission opposing the plan of their parish priest.

“I already talked to Msgr. Jimenez. I already informed him that anyone I talked to has opposed to his plan,” said town councilor Rene Alquizola.

Alquizola said he explained to Jimenez that the donor’s intention of donating the property of around onehectare is for public plaza. Alquizola is among the heirs of the donor.

Archbishop Jose Palma has sent Fr. Brian Brigoli of the AEHC to listen to those who oppose Jimenez’ plan, especially the descendants of the donor, saidAlquizola.

Alquizola said the parish priest’s move is divisive for allegedly not recognizing the Parish Pastoral Council as the advisory body and instead creating a Parish Security Group composed of selected lay ministers.

“We are hoping ngamakigsabotsiyasa community,” he said.

Alquizola said that some individuals from Barili who are already abroad are even offering to give anything they could to help the parish but not make the church plaza into a pay parking lot.

According to him, the people have already learned a lesson when the parish convent was also sold by a priest years ago without consulting the parishioners. —(FREEMAN)