Compostela priest finally resigns

THE  Compostela parish priest who allegedly told parishioners not to believe in the Santo Niño, the saints,   and the  Virgin Mary,   has resigned, a decision that takes effect on May 18.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma told reporters yesterday  he has accepted the resignation of Fr. James Lao from his post in the St. James the Apostle parish in Compostela town.

“Yes, he has tendered a resignation. We asked him to leave the place,” Palma told reporters in Mandaue City where he officiated the fiesta mass.

Palma clarified that he advised Lao to leave the place for his own benefit  and his parishioners.

The archbishop  said Lao will be replaced by Msgr. Renato Beltran, who will be installed on May 18.

“He (Lao) will take a vacation until further notice,” said Palma.

“There was no reason stated in the resignation.  His resignation is upon our request. Fr. Lao is already sickly. The advice is made for his welfare and the people.”

Lao was the subject of a signature petition for his relief.

Last March, parishioners complained that  he was misleading them in their faith by telling them in   homilies  not to believe in the Santo Niño, the Catholic saints, the Virgin Mary and the town’s patron, St. James and that  “the saints are just statues made of wood and cement.”

On  Easter Sunday, parishioners also complained that Lao changed the “Sugat” rituals. In his version,  the risen Jesus Christ was met by St. Peter and Mary Magdalene instead of a  grieving Virgin Mary.

In September last year, Lao, who was  chaplain of the Colegio de San Antonio de Padua in Danao City, was criticized for shooting  airgun pellets at a tree-climbing student who allegedly stole mangoes in the school compound. However,  the case was settled amicably between Lao and the student’s family.

After the incident, Lao was raassigned to Compostela.