CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The Vatican has issued a directive creating a Catholic church tribunal in the archdiocese based in this city where suspended priest Gov. Eddie Panlilio can file his petition for dispensation from the priesthood amid his declaration to run for president in next year’s elections. This, even as Panlilio said in a text message that while he has already declared his intent to run for president, he is still willing to withdraw his plan should the Movement for Good Governance endorse another candidate after the holding of its "primaries" slated this September.
"That’s the gentleman’s deal. Basta impartial yung primaries (for as long as the primaries were impartial)," he stressed.
In an interview with Punto, San Fernando Auxiliary Bishop Pablo Virgilio David said that two weeks ago, the Vatican issued a directive creating a tribunal in the San Fernando archdiocese headed by Archbishop Paciano Aniceto with three clergy experts in Canon Law as members, including Monsignors Edgardo Pangan, Marius Roque and Marcelo Mandap.
David lamented the failure of Panlilio to first seek dispensation from priesthood before announcing his presidential plans.
He said Panlilio could just sign an already formulated document seeking dispensation from priesthood and submit it to the tribunal.
"This was what he should have done before announcing his presidential plans as a matter of simple propriety," he said.
David said that through the tribunal, "the Holy See has given the diocese the authority to expedite cases of dispensation."
It is not clear whether the Vatican’s directive was somehow prompted by controversies surrounding Panlilio’s presidential plans, but David said it was part of the worldwide policy of the Catholic Church to decentralize some of its powers, as he noted that there are long-pending petitions for dispensation filed by other priests in other parts of the world.
"It’s a tribunal empowered to act on cases of conflict in the realm of the Church. It’s similar to the functions of a civilian court," he explained.
David said that local Catholic clergy have been "hurt" by Panlilio’s alleged statement that he, Panlilio, is also "fighting for his priesthood" amid calls for him to seek dispensation.
"As a result, he makes it seem that we, including Apu Ceto (Archbishop Aniceto) are persecuting him. We can’t reach out to him anymore," he lamented.
Even before he categorically declared his presidential candidacy in a forum in Manila last Monday, Panlilio already said he would respect the outcome of the "primaries" to be held by the Movement for Good Governance, a group composed of respected leaders seeking a "reform candidate" excluding traditional politicians for next year’s elections.
Asked about the apparent conflict in his pronouncements, Panlilio said he would still give way to the decision of the group despite his declaration last Monday.
David recalled that when Panlilio decided to run for governor in 2007, he promised to return to the priesthood after his gubernatorial term after having cultivated possible successors to take the reins of good governance in the provincial government.
He lamented that Panlilio is not only reneging on his promise to return to priesthood, but also has allegedly failed to hone somebody who could succeed him governor amid prospects of the return of traditional politicians he fought against in the 2007 gubernatorial race.
David, who also heads the archdiocesan office on priest discipline, also cautioned Panlilio on the "interpretation of the will of God" which the latter cited as reason for his presidential plans.
He stressed that such interpretation should "not disregard obedience to superiors which is part of the will of God and part of his dedication to the priesthood."
"He (Panlilio) was given a mere slap on the wrist when he was suspended by the archbishop when he pursued his gubernatorial plans," he also said.
He explained that at present, Panlilio’s power to hold Mass and dispense the sacraments are under suspension. Such powers would be withdrawn permanently from Panlilio once he is granted dispensation from the priesthood.
