Backed by at least four pastors, headed by former District Superintendent Wilfredo Pronto of the United Methodist Church (UMC) in this city, Adelina Fernandez decried the supposed inaction of the church provincial hierarchy on the death of Joel Fernandez, 22, who was found hanging from the ceiling of the 4th floor of the United Methodist City Temple along Sanciangco St., here at about 2 pm. On Oct. 13, 2015.
Fernandez said she could not believe that her son would commit suicide considering that he, who was never involved in any relationship, had been inspired in a dream of rebuilding a chapel in their village Barangay Bantug this city and organizing youths for the purpose of enriching the faith.
The only problem that her son had shared days before his death, Fernandez, said, was alleged financial issues involving church leadership.
“Ang sinasabi niya, napakarami niyang natutuklasan tungkol sa pananalapi, lagi siyang kinagagalitan tuwing may meeting, lagi na lang siya, tatlo apat na pukol ng kasalanan ibinibigay sa kanya, binabawal siyang pumunta rito sa mga kabataan niyang ipinupundar, binabawal siyang pumunta kay DS Pronto,” Fernandez said.
“Wala siyang inidolo kundi Iglesia Metodista, wala siyang hinanap kundi masama sa Iglesia Metodista’t mag-pastor sa Iglesia Metodista pero bakit doon mismo sa simbahan nangyari ‘yan,” Fernandez said, underscoring her disappointment that their Bishop Rodolfo Juan allegedly did not initiate any investigation.
“Sana naman po ay magkaron ng katarungan yung anak ko malinis lang ang pagkakagawa nila,” she said.
Pronto said Juan should have shown deeper concern by probing the incident because it involved a minister and his family “belongs to the lowest strata of life.”
The family rents an P800 space in a residential house in the village.
An autopsy report, according to Pronto, showed that the victim had suffered injuries other than on his neck.
The Nueva Ecija provincial crime laboratory office (NEPCLO) reported that the “cause of death is due to asphyxia by hanging.”
On Jan. 7, Fernandez filed murder charges, docketed No. 007-16- A-0005, against couple Revs. Gilbert Pascua and Juliet Pascua who are superiors of the twoyear- pastor Joel.
Gilbert Pascua denied the charges: “Akin pong pinabubulaanan yon at hindi-hindi ko kayang gawin yun sa isang pastor na ako mismo ang kumuha upang makasama ko sa iglesiang ito ang United Methodist City Temple.”
Pascua said claims of irregularity in the church’s finances could not be possible because of the process they observe.
He said he treated Joel not only as his assistant pastor but as a brother. “Maraming beses na kasa-kasama ko sa labas dahil napakaraming gawain dito sa UM City po na kami lang ang magkasama sa sasakyan at napakarami kong mga pangarap sa kanya, sinasamahan ko siya sa kanyang napakaraming pangarap,” he added.
