Diocese of Antipolo “Will not condone trafficking in persons” – Dioecesis Antipolensis
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In a statement issued on August 1, 2017, the Diocese of Antipolo stood firm against any form of trafficking in persons and committed to never intervene in any trial or procedure against the offenders.
“The Diocese of Antipolo makes it clear that it will not in any way condone or abet the trafficking in persons, particularly of minors, nor protect the offenders from prosecution, and subsequent trial and punishment when evidence so warrants,” the statement reads.
This statement is made after Msgr. Arnel Lagarejos, a priest from the Diocese of Antipolo has been apprehended on Friday, July 28, after being involved in an alleged trafficking in persons.
(READ: Antipolo Diocese takes necessary actions on Msgr. Lagarejos’ Case)
With the given circumstances, Antipolo Bishop Francis de Leon immediately relieved Msgr. Lagarejos from all of his designations and faculties in the diocese – an action that has been reiterated in its recent statement.
“Even as his guilt remains to be proved and the precepts of the Constitution grant him the presumption of innocence, the Diocese has taken every step to hold him answerable for the charges brought against him both before the Republic and before the Church.”
In addition, Msgr. Lagarejos is also “forbidden from having contact with all but his lawyer, his brother-priests, and church authorities. He is particularly forbidden from any communication with minors and from maintaining company with them in any way whatsoever.”
Full cooperation with the investigating and prosecuting authorities is also being assured by the diocese. Assistance to the victim is also being offered, “Whatever counseling and psychological services may be available in the Diocese, we offer in love, affection, and compassion to the child, who, it is in our understanding, has been in the keeping of traffickers in the past.”
CANONICAL PROCESSES
Meanwhile, an independent canonical procedure has already commenced proving the guilt or innocence of the concerned priest.
Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz, as delegated by Bishop de Leon last Sunday, is to lead the separate inquiry of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) regarding this matter. Once all the relevant pieces of evidence have been compiled, the result will be transmitted to the Vatican for proper action.
However, it has been emphasized that “the conclusions of the processes of the Church are independent of whatever conclusions may be reached by the authorities of the State.”
MERCY AND COMPASSION
However, the Diocese will uphold the mercy as exemplified by the Lord Jesus as he “never gave up on even the most hateful of sinners.” Thus, “we do not give up on the priest concerned,” it added.
Healing is also being prayed for the child victim and her family.
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