When truth stares us in the face our initial reaction is to deny it with all our might. When our values and beliefs are challenged, especially by those we have come to respect and trust, we go in defense mode. Understandably, as the truth is embarrassing, frightening and much too painful to confront. It is easier to twist it, mangle it for our own convenience rather than rectify it.
Such is the case when I wrote the story about Father Raul del Prado, the priest who can’t say mass. “Shock, horror,” said the loyal disbelievers who slipped into a comatose state. How dare me feel so righteous? After all, “a priest is always a priest,” they say. Trust me, lately, the truths I have uncovered have rocked me to my very core, that I now have more questions than answers.
I was sent via email, last year’s touching video tribute to Father Raul by a champion supporter to prove that he is a priest. This included a letter from a certain Father Fladder, a Doctor of Cannon Law, outlining the priestly powers. However, the video fails to respond to the real issue. Let me reiterate.
The question is not whether Father Raul is a priest. That is NOT the issue. We know he’s “on leave” from Alominos, Pangasinan but the issue is that HE CANNOT SAY MASS in Australia until he has been issued with “the Celebret” by the Archdiocese to which he belongs. He has no faculties nor ministry here.
This has been confirmed by the Archdioceses of Sydney, Parramatta, Wollongong in Australia and the Archdiocese of Manila. (And I do have confirmation in writing). If anyone, wishes to check please phone any of the archdioceses mentioned or email me for it.
Just prior to press time, I spoke to Father Raul to ask if he had any comment or if he wanted me to correct anything that had been said. His initial reaction was to decline to comment and claimed his right to privacy. “I keep a low profile. God is with me, I follow his mandate,” he said.
However, as the conversation progressed, he claimed I was being “judgmental”. I reiterated that if I was in any way wrong, I would be only too willing to correct it but to please identify which part of the story was wrong. Father Raul pointed to the fact that he is allowed to give blessings in an emergency, to which I replied there was no emergency at Sizzling Fillo Restaurant when he said mass. He also cited another example where he counseled a married couple on the verge of divorce. He of course can counsel and give all the advice he wants but he still can’t say mass!
He also asked me if I had read the letter of Father Fladder which was being circulated and which accompanied the video. Yes, I did and the letter clearly stipulates that “a priest without faculties in Australia or the Philippines cannot say mass publicly.” However, some have chosen to re-define public and private. It is also important to note that Fr. Fladder’s response was in theory and is still subject to the decisions of the Archdioceses, and the latter’s response is NO.
I told Father Raul, if the Archdioceses were wrong, I’d be the first to write to them, but he had to tell me what was “wrong.” To that, Father Raul replied: “I know that I’m in violation but I did not abuse that. They (the public) gave me money but I never asked. I am stopping it now and I am limiting it, even for Filcos.” “I also go with your convictions,” he added.
Why can’t Father Raul say mass in Australia? Because he has not been given permission by his Bishop in the Philippines. Why did the Philippine Bishop not give him permission? While I know the answer to this, I reserve the right to save Father Raul from further embarrassment. It is up to you to ask him. As for seeking his reinstatement, Father Raul says, “I have been writing; it is being done, but I have been denied.”
As for the statement, “Once a priest, always a priest” – I beg to disagree. This may be true in theory but it is deeply flawed. At the top of my head, I can think of Father Villanueva who left the priesthood to get married. Father Panlilio who became the Governor of Pampanga laicized himself to run for government office. He is currently awaiting return of his priestly faculties but is unable to say mass until then. More recently, Father Fuller of Liverpool was defrocked for sexual misconduct and has since been sentenced to jail. And the list goes on.
In 2004, the Jon Jay Report was released. It was based on a global study of 10,667 allegations against 4,392 priests for sexual misconduct between 1950 and 2002. Sanction of these priests were varied and as a result some retired or resigned (29%); some were suspended (45.5%), some were removed – 6%; some seeked laicization; others were reprimanded, given counseling and returned to the clergy.
For Father Raul to say mass here, he needs to: (1) Return to the Philippines and obtain permission. (2) With that permit, he then seeks permission here in Australia. (3) Once, he has his celebret – then he can say mass beyond his lodgings. His loyal followers should perhaps help him achieve that. After all, he has now admitted to being “in violation” of the rules of the Archdioceses.
