Cebu Archbishop pans priest’s shaming of unwed mom

By: Bong Lozada - 10 years ago

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma. PHOTO from www.cbcponline.net

MANILA, Philippines—As the apology softened the issue, the high priest of Cebu said such “shameful” acts should never be done again.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma told INQUIRER.net that he does not condone the episode of Fr. Romeo Obach when the latter berated a young single mom during her child’s baptism.

“We do not justify such acts, we are called to serve,” Palma said Wednesday. “Lack of respect should never be condoned.”

Obach has issued a public apology saying that he “deeply regrets” his actions.

“I realized only later how cruel my ways (were) to educate and impart lessons. I am deeply sorry to the mother of the child, her relatives, the sponsors and the witnesses of the incident,” he said in his apology.

Also, Obach’s parish has sanctioned him, banning him temporarily from giving sacraments and that they have reached out to the young mom’s family.

Despite the berating the single mom, Obach reached out to the family and sought forgiveness.

“It’s good that he (Obach) and his parish reached out to the family.”

Palma, who is the former president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, said the sanction is a good part in all the episodes that happened and that the apology is also a welcome development.

Cebu’s Archbishop added that he shares the sentiments of the Cebuanos who were stunned with the priest’s actions.

“As a bishop of Cebu I share the sentiments of the community,” Palma said. “Such incidents should not be repeated again.”

Obach is set to meet with Palma on Thursday.