ni Lolet Abania | April 6, 2022
Isang pari na tatakbo sa pagka-municipal councilor sa Bacacay, Albay sa 2022 elections, ang pansamantalang inalis mula sa kanyang priestly ministry, ayon sa pahayag ng Diocese of Sorsogon.
Sa isang circular letter na may petsang Abril 4, inanunsiyo ng Diocese of Sorsogon ang suspensyon ni Fr. Emmanuel Alparce matapos ang paglabag nito sa Code of Canon Law 285, kung saan nakasaad, “clerics are forbidden to assume public offices which entail a participation in the exercise of civil power.”
“Instead, clerics are encouraged ‘always to foster the peace and harmony based on justice which are to be observed among people and not to have an active part in political parties,” batay sa liham na nilagdaan ni Sorsogon Bishop Rev. Jose Alan Dialogo.
Nakapaloob din sa sulat na si Alparce ay suspendido, “indefinitely from every priestly ministry.”
Sa kasalukuyan, ang naturang priest ay walang hinahawakang opisina at hindi konektado sa anumang parokya o institusyon sa Diocese of Sorsogon.
Gayunman, binanggit sa liham na nananatili siyang isang priest incardinated sa diocese, “not yet dispensed from his vows, especially celibacy, but without the faculty to celebrate the sacraments.”
“Rev. Alparce was given ample time (until March 25, 2022, the start of the official local campaign) to withdraw his candidacy. He has been warned that if he does not reform and continue to give scandal, because of his participation to the local elections, he can be progressively punished by deprivations, or even by dismissal from the clerical state,” dagdag pang pahayag ng Diocese of Sorsogon.
