Probe sought on erring priest

THE  Cebu Archdiocese ordered an investigation into allegations that a Cebuano priest had sexual relations with a couple of women within the Church compound of a southern Cebu town.

Msgr. Esteban Binghay, the episcopal vicar of Cebu’s archdiocese, said he received reports about the priest from some of the parishioners.

The complaints were raised during a local radio program yesterday morning.

Binghay instructed the team moderator of the parish where the priest is assigned to investigate the report.

He said the complainants report the priest’s behavior to the team moderator.

“I trust the team moderator. He shall investigate and make the necessary report,” Binghay told Cebu Daily News.

The priest’s name is being withheld until his side is heard on the case.

Binghay said the report of the team moderator can be sent to him or to Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma.

“People in the church commit mistakes, whether small or grave. We should be careful, exact and objective in reporting the issue,” he said.

Binghay said the priest comes from a parish composed of a team of pastors. He said the parish is composed of five diocesan priests and a resident priest.

As episcopal vicar of the archdiocese’s Metro Cebu south district, Binghay said he facilitates the Church on whatever has to be done.  But he said parishioners know better their priests than him.

“I’m alien to the parish although I have the duty to oversee (what is going on in the district). I do not know what to say about this,” Binghay said.

He said priests found to have committed a grave sin shall be called by the archbishop. Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol