No tolerance to 'misbehaving priests', Cardinal says

MANILA, 01 October 2007— A ranking Catholic Church official has called on the faithful to come forward and report errant priests.
Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales who heads the Commission on Clergy of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said “misbehaving” priests deserve serious action.
“Parishioners can report them (misbehaving priests) to whoever next in line. (He) can be the bishop or the monsignor,” said Rosales, who is also the Archbishop of Manila.
He vowed they would give due attention to any report and would do further action especially if a case merit further probe.
In his pastoral jurisdiction, for instance, Rosales said that whenever they receive a complaint about a priest, they listen to it and then conduct an investigation.
"We call the person involved." Rosales said. When the complaint is grave, they ask the priest to "reconsider his vocation," he said.
But the prelate described as rare situation when some priests are reported for scandals and when they do, “there’s a good chance that the complaints are true,” he said.
“Except when there are intrigues, it’s usually true when the report comes from lay people,” he also said.
The cardinal is grateful contentious matter involving local priests is not very common unlike in other countries.

A LETTER TO CARDINAL ROSALES:

Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales
Archbishop of Manila
121 Arzobispo St., Intramuros,
P.O. Box 132, 1099
Manila, Philippines


Dear Cardinal Rosales,

Greetings in the Lord.

I am forwarding my sworn statement concerning Most Rev. Filomeno G. Bactol, Bishop of Naval and the Clergy of the Diocese of Naval.

You have vowed that due attention to any report and would further action especially if a case merit further probe.

I have other statements and other material to back an investigation into this matter.

I look forward hearing from you on this subject, since you made it clear that investigations would be conducted!

Hope to hear from you soon,

I remain,



Sincerely yours in Christ, &
Our Mother of Perpetual Help,



(Bro) Stephen M. Greinke, MBPH
Superior / President