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While almost everyone in the Philippines is busy with Pope Francis’ first visit to the Philippines, three priests from the town of Lambunao in Iloilo are appealing that the pontiff will change one of the centuries-old traditions of the Catholic Church.
Considered persona non grata by Catholic Church leaders in the Philippines, Fr. Jesus Siva, Fr. Hector Canto and Fr. Jose Elmer Cajilig are openly married priests with children. The three are hoping for “compassion and mercy” from the Pope to recognise them and their children.
“This is a very serious problem within the Church. I hope Pope Francis will recognize us,” Siva told Reuters.
PHOTO CREDIT: Yahoo News
Barely a week before Pope Francis landed in the Philippines for his first Papal visit in the country, Fr. Canto and Fr. Cajilig had their children baptised in a rites officiated by Fr. Siva at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel in Iloilo.
The two even wore their liturgical vestments during the Mass which was attended by 80 of their relatives, friends, and even parishioners.
Siva who has two sons with a partner from his congregration’s choir believes that there is no Biblical basis for mandatory celibacy. He added that the rule has complicated the lives of the children of priests.
“What is happening to most children of priests whose fathers have not acknowledged their responsibility? They (children) and their mothers are told to hide the truth or transfer residence,” he explained.
Last year, the revolutionary Pope’s comment about the celibacy rule among priests made headlines.
In an interview, the Argentine pope said: “Celibacy is not a dogma. It is a rule of life that I appreciate very much and I think it is a gift for the Church but since it is not a dogma, the door is always open.”
Currently, priests who break the rule end up being suspended, relocated, undergo “reformation”, go on sabbatical leave, or give up priesthood in order to enter marriage and start a family.
Still, a handful of priests believe that the rule will be changed in the future.
Fr. Canto told the Philippine Daily Inquirer: “Sooner or later, change will happen. But it may not be during my lifetime.”
