Bishop bars ‘healing priest’ from diocese
By Jeannette Andrade
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 23:10:00 05/07/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- Not in my turf.
This was the statement on Wednesday of Malolos bishop Jose Oliveros upon learning that Canada-based “healing priest” Fernando Suarez plans to return to the country this month to resume his work.
Oliveros said he can deny the priest access to his diocese in the same manner that Suarez was banned by the Archdiocese of Toronto from even entering its jurisdiction after he was found to have conducted healing masses without first obtaining the permission of church authorities there.
Oliveros told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that he has received documents pertaining to the ban enforced on Suarez in Toronto for the “hit-and-run” healing masses he conducted in the diocese.
“He (Suarez) should be able to observe the norms of the Church and part of that is to seek permission from the head of the diocese where he plans to hold healing masses,” the bishop said.
“The reason why this is explicit in the church laws is to ensure that the healing masses adhere to the norms of the church and to enable the bishop to curtail possible abuse,” Oliveros explained, adding that the abuse usually comes with the collection of money during such services.
Oliveros had already banned the priest last January, which forced the priest to cut Bulacan off his healing tour. Suarez is known to attract huge crowds.
The bishop told the Inquirer that Lingayen-Dagupan archbishop Oscar Cruz has, likewise, refused to allow Suarez access to his diocese because of similar complaints.
He pointed out that the laws of the Church are explicit on such activities. Healing masses are covered by the “Instruction of the Sacred Congregation on the Doctrine of the Faith,” written by Pope Benedict XVI in 2000.
“I am not allowing him in my diocese,” Oliveros reiterated, lamenting that he had experienced instances when he would only find out that Suarez had been conducting healing masses in his diocese through the media.
“He is free to continue his work but he should at least seek the bishops’ permission first. After all, he is going to dioceses not his own,” Oliveros emphasized.
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