Ego
EPISCOPUS DIOECESEOS SORSOGONENSIS INSULARUM PHILIPPINARUM
infrascriptus
CONSCIENTIA BENE FORMATA
his litteris
POENAM LATAE SENTENTIAE EXCOMMUNICATIONIS
declaro
VI CANONIS 1388 CIC
contra
REVERENDUM PATREM ALEJANDRE V. GALIAS
huic iurisdictioni ecclesiasticae incardinatum.
Datum die xxi mensis Septembris anno Domini MMVII
Reverendissimus Arturo M. Bastes, SVD, DD
Episcopus
Reverendus Pater Antonio Lorilla
Cancellarius
For those who are not familiar with the term excommunication latae sententiae is a canonical punishment for offenses such as heresy, violation of the seal of confession, or procuring an abortion. Catholics guilty of these offenses are excommunicated automatically. Bear in mind that Arch. Marcel Lefebvre was excommunicated also latae sententiae after he ordained Bishops without permission of the Holy Father. In case of Fr. Andy, the case is violation of the seal of confession.
I am very sorry to hear this news. Fr. Andy and his SMAHE congregation are familiar to us Somascans here in Sorsogon and we've been together in various occasions. This is painful but at the same time I respect the authority of our Bishop.
The goal of excommunication is not to expel or to punish but to correct and help the person concerned reform from error whether theological, moral or disciplinary. I hope and pray that Fr. Andy will be guided by the Holy Spirit accordingly and also that our Bishop to be more loving and paternal.
May the Holy Patrons of the Diocese of Sorsogon: Sts. Peter & Paul help the people concerned in this painful case. Amen.
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![ST. JEROME EMILIANI [1486-1537]](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6dKQTchkJaA/R0lo013dyBI/AAAAAAAAB_4/XzUAPDESwwQ/s1600/St.+Jerome+in+prayer,+small_1.jpg)
I dont seem to agree with the statement that if you know the person of good character he is not capable of doing something bad. Hello!!! There are so many hypocrites and pedophiles roaming aroudn the our society.. not until you found out their offense then you'll know...I think It would be better if Fr. Galias explain or defend himself( whom I havent met nor remember) if he really did break the seal of cofession? Although as i can recall Gileleo was also excommunicated when he told the people way back then that the world is Round. anyway i read over the SMAHE blog that there was a dispute about a 3 hectare land owned by SMAHE.. I dont understand the point where Bishop Bastes was after the land....nobody reallyowns it but the people who generously contributed money to them ..so what's the point of claiming that the land was owned by SMAHE?? you build a church, you build a convent, you build a school or a hospital.. if it's for the the people then what's the point of arguing who owns it?? maybe there's something fishy or more scandals to find out.. let's see.. or shall i say Keep our eyes open..
ReplyDeleteI have nothing against Fr. Galias and I know nothing about the substantial matters of his case. But, I respect the authority of our Bishop. What you have written here is beyond the limit because you have raised issues that I did not mentioned at all.
ReplyDeleteIf you will look closely at my post I simply posted the official latin declaration of excommunication and I followed it with prayers for both fr. Andy and the Bishop. I did not make any condemnation or attack against anyone. So, your posting in this comment section questioning the integrity of our Bishop is uncalled for and unchristian. You are authorized only to comment on what I posted and not to attack or insult anybody much more to insinuate.
MUCH MORE, PLEASE STOP SPREADING STUPIDITIES AROUND. GALILEO WAS NEVER EXCOMMUNICATED FOR HIS TEACHING THAT THE WORLD IS ROUND.
HE WAS NEVER EXCOMMUNICATED! He was simply asked to recant his teaching that the Bible is wrong in claiming that the sun moves. His scientific theory, that time, was heliocentrism - that the earth revolves around the sun.
The Catholic Church was not against heliocentrism because its original proponent Nicolaus Copernicus was Catholic and Galileo himself died a Catholic and is now buried in the Basilica of Santa Croce di Firenze.
Please check your facts before opening your mouth.
Concerning the land dispute, I have nothing to do with that and better the concerned persons deal with it amicably or legally. Please avoid making this Blog a vehicle for your tabloid commentaries.
I understand that it has to be proven the things that is charge to SMAHE. But my opinion about this is: Smahe is working not to help. Actually i been there for a long time. Yes they educate me but the thing happened to be not okey when I was out. Probably they knew verry well my status in life. Probably they knew verry well that when they charge me of certain they know verry well that i could not afford to pay. Hence, I am not only one who experience such thing. Many of us feel such a disappointment that the organization put burden to us that is impossible to bear. Well thanks to Bishop Bastes who by his humble act he helps us in a special way. I wish smahe will be stopped. There will many people like me who from the onset will feel that the organization help but actually create a debt that after they help they will ask for a recommpense.
ReplyDeleteFrom a concerned citizen of New Jersey:
ReplyDeleteI am saddened to know that a good priest like Fr. Galias has to be ex-communicated when he did good things to his community and fellowmen. SMAHE has been there for 23 years and yet the Bishop had just found out that the congregation is illegal after long years of existing. What a shame!!!!!!!! that only shows that he had been sleeping the whole time when Fr. Galias was doing his best for the congregation to be a successful one. There are catholic priests who fathered a lot of Filipino women, but, did you hear them being condemned by the catholic church authority? A person whose purpose is to help other people to be a useful servant to the community and to God was condemned while those who committed the vow of celibacy are free of condemnation. THIS ARE ALL HYPOCRICY, this is the reason why a lot of people doesn't go to church anymore...some had lost faith in some priests because of their wrong doings and judgement. By announcing to the whole world that Fr. Galias was ex-communicated was unjustly done. As a human gesture, the Bishop should have iron out things with Fr. Galias (who is the founder of SMAHE in Juban, Sorsogon and the catholic church should have been proud of) and correct things/issues that needs to be corrected. But instead of doing this, the ex-communicated issue spreaded everywhere, published to all newspapers and to the world. I thought that only uneducated people do this, now I learned that those HOLY (????) people can do the same thing. "PEOPLE WHO TRIED TO DO GOOD THINGS ARE SCRUTINIZED AND CONDEMNED BY SOME HYPOCRITES WHILE THOSE WHO DO SHIT ARE JUST BEING IGNORED AND PRAISED"
Being a religious priest working in Sorsogon I myself feel sad and at pain about what had happened to Fr. Andy. I've never seen him doing immoral, illegal or uncanonical things as well as teaching heresies. However, based on my personal dialogue with fellow priests in the Diocese who are more knowledgeable than I am, the Bishop has a lot of solid grounds to merit the excommnication.
ReplyDeleteNow, Fr. Andy is an intelligent man. If he believes that he is innocent he should elevate his case to the Holy See. There he can receive a fairer treatment if he feels the contrary here. Because the canon lawyers of the Church there will look at the case without emotional or personal bias.
Fathering a child is not a ground for excommunication. The highest and most terrible of penalties are reserved for specific offenses and violations. If you know some priests who are fathering children why don't you inform the Bishop and see if he will really not act on it.
My prayers go to the Bishop, Fr. Andy and all those concern about this matter. May the Lord grant them Justice through the way of Truth.
Again, from a concerned citizen of New Jersey:
ReplyDeleteThanks Fr. Abe for your immediate response to my comments. I am very sad to say that Fr. Galias is a victim of a wrong judgment. Why elevate the case to the Holy See? Is this not a HUGE insult to the Bishop's capability by not being able to resolved the case within his jurisdiction (the Archbishop of Sorsogon)? THERE MUST BE A VERY PERSONAL REASONS WHY THESE THINGS HAPPENED.
As you stated in your comment, "if Fr. Galias will elevate his case to the Holy See, He will receive a fair treatment because Canon lawyers will look the case without emotional or personal bias". Does this mean that when the case is held in the Philippines, ordinary priest like Fr. Galias will expect biased and unfair decision from his Superior? This is sooooooo RIDICULOUS!!!
Filipino Catholic priests who fathered a child is just an ordinary happenings in the catholic sect. This is a public knowledge and there is no need to inform whoever the Bishop in you Diocess because this had been happening before I was born. IGNORE and SAY NOTHING is the right word to describe why until now fathering a child by a priest still continues until to this day. You said that fathering a child by a priest is not a ground for ex-communication, but don't you know that it is a SHAME to your community?
As a human being, we are subject to a lot of mistakes and the society can still accept it. A VENDICTIVE PERSON has no place in this world, he must remember that we are sinners and not perfect. If GOD can forgive us why can't he (Bishop)?
I just hope and pray to God that the Bishop will wake up one day and realized that what he did was TERRIBLY WRONG and will feel sorry for himself and to the person he offended.
Dear Anonymous from New Jersey,
ReplyDeleteGRACE AND PEACE!
Please don't insinuate based on my comments. I am not saying that Fr. Galias received a biased and unfair treatment here in the Philippines. How can I say that? I am not part of the investigating committee as well as the authority who made the judgment. I am simply suggesting that if Fr. Galias feels that he was unjustly judged then he should elevate the case to the higher authority. That is just simple logic and common sense. If you loose the case in lower court then to the higher court and ultimately to the Supreme Pontiff.
I am not in a position to claim that there are personal reasons behind the decisions. You could be right and you could be mistaken. I am giving both Fr. Galias and the Bishop the same benefit of the doubt although in case of doubt the rule of Christian Morality cides with the Superior or in this case with the Bishop.
Concerning priests fathering children. Will you please name a priest who fathered children? I've been here in Sorsogon for 9 years but I've never seen a priest who fathered children. It is because if ever there are priests like that they will not invite me to their bedroom to see that they are fathering children. What I hear are insinuations and accusations or general presumptions like what you are doing. How can I believe you? You do not even have the courage to reveal your name. Accusations done anonymously is destined to go to the dustbin. If you will accuse people have the courage to bring the case to the proper court or forum and you must face the one whom you are accusing.
DEFINITELY I HAVE NOT FATHERED ANY CHILD EXCEPT SPIRITUALLY WHEN I LOVED AS MY OWN THE ORPHANS ENTRUSTED TO MY CARE DURING MY 6 YEAR STAY IN THE ORPHANAGE. I can proudly declared before the whole world that I am a virgin. I offered myself before the Altar of God as a virgin and I remain as such until now.
If priests are fathering children that is really a SHAME to our community. But in the same manner giving unfounded and unproved accusations without revealing one's identity is as EQUALLY SHAMEFUL.
My prayers goest to our Bishop and Fr. Galias for the charitable resolution of this case and for truth to come out through the grace of God.
From a still concerned citizen of New Jersey:
ReplyDeleteI do not know if you fully understand what you had been reading...analyze your comments (par. 2, dated July 9,and par.1 dated July 15). Please read also paragraph 2 of my comment dated July 14. Concentrate while reading and so you will understand every word of it, ok?
Have you read the decree issued and signed by Bishop Varela? or just ignoring it for fear that something bad (just like Fr. Galias) will gonna happen if someone disagree with the current bishop's decision? It is crystal clear...FR. GALIAS WAS A VICTIM OF A WRONG JUDGMENT AND A VINDICTIVE PERSON.
Paragraph 3, sentence #4 of your July 14 comments seems like you have a childish reasoning. If you heard this accusations before and now, that means, there is a truth to it (when there is smoke, there is fire). Please don't pretend to be deaf and blind because the result might not be good on your part.
Do I still need to name a priest who fathered those Filipina women? You might know them well than I do! Just remember...PRETENDING that you do not know even if you knew it, is not good.
Also, don't be too defensive. If you did not fathered a child, then, well and good. By declaring that you are still a virgin...it is up to the people to judge you.
Also, you don't have to see a person to believed for what he/she says, it is how a person relates the facts. I am not accusing anyone, my comments are based on the certified testimonies and articles that I read.
Frankly, I AM NOT ASHAMED for not revealing myself, who knows, we might see each other one day ('am vacationing next year). If by chance we see each other, don't forget who you are and never change you vocation (SORRY, I just want to make you laugh coz you seems like a good priest). Right now, I prefer to remain anonymous to you. Is that ok with you?
Dear Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteGRACE AND PEACE BE UPON YOU!
This matter, I am aware, is a sensitive matter. I understand that people like you who know and support and believe in the goodness of Fr. Galias are deeply hurt and are even angry at the decision. Now, I have nothing against you and I don't want to make this exchange of comments turn our attitudes toward each other into animosity. If ever I misundertand your post and have hurt you with my comments then I apologize.
On the otherhand, I want you to know that I am sincere in writing that I am not aware of any priest in Sorsogon who have 'fathered' a child. Well, I should have stated 'not personally aware'. Because I have heard gossips but just like any educated person gossips are unreliable.
Concerning my vocation, I can fully assure you that when you come to Sorsogon for vacation I will still be a Somascan priest as I am today and will remain such until the end of my life here on earth. Of course, I need the grace of God to realize that and I'm humbly asking your prayers for its full realization.
Some of my previous comments were posted based on comments from others and my reactions to each varies based on each statement because they are differ not only in dates but also in perspective. I am not saying that you are insinuating but I notice some elements of it in your previous post. Please don't insists that my comments is motivated by fear of reprisal from my Bishop. Because Ive been into consecrated life since 1991 but I have not received any reprimand or punishment or even warning from my Bishop. I've been here in Sorsogon for almost 9 years yet both Bishop Varela and Bishop Bastes treated me with kindness although we rarely see each other. The Catholic Church is one of the most loved and the most criticized institution in the world. People are free to criticize the Pope, the Bishops and priests. It is my personal decision not to criticize the Bishop because I am not aware of the real situation and truth behind the case. I hardly now Fr. Galias but what I saw from him were positive -- I never saw him revealing confessions of others, for instance. Yet, I also see the same positive things from Bishop Bastes. Fr. Galias claim that he is unjustly treated while the Bishop and his commission claims that they have solid evidence to support the excommunication. I never saw those evidences because I was not part of the commission and I am not even incardinated in the Diocese of Sorsogon. My ecclesial family is the Somascan Congregation. And, much more. I am not directly under the authority of Bishop Bastes, canonically speaking. Instead, I am under the Provincial Superior of the Somascan Congregation who is my 'Ordinary' under the Canon Law. So, I have nothing to fear from Bishop Bastes.
Just like in civil case, if the matter is still being questioned after a canonical decision then the matter must be brought to the higher court. If this is not done then the decision of the Bishop cannot remains. I am not defending myself here because I don't have any case against me whether in civil or ecclesiastical courts. So far, I have not received any gossip that I have 'fathered' a child. Thanks be to God. The reason for my statements being soft on Fr. Galias is my sympathy for a brother priest whether he is guilty or not. I pray for him knowing the pain that he is experiencing now. The reasons for my 'respectful' statements for the Bishop it is because he is 'my Bishop'-- 'our' Bishop. He is the successor of the Apostles for us and the leader whose name I recite daily in the Holy Canon of the Mass. From childhood, my parents instilled in me deep love for the Holy Father, great respect for Bishops and affection to our priests.
It is Ok for me if you insist to remain anonymous. But, be more respectful in your statements. Please don't use the word 'hypocrites', etc. Because these words are easily said if we are anonymous because we will not be responsible for them. You are safe in your hidden identity yet you find free media in another's blog who do not even know you in person. If you are angry with the Bishop please don't hurl your insulting and attacking statements here. Create your own blog and there write all the thoughts and motives of your heart. You can list there the names of the priests who fathered children complete with documentations and testimonies from reliable sources. You can even present there all your arguments concerning the injustices happening here in Sorsogon. It is good for you if you are not ashamed of being anonymous but I do feel the shame that this blog is being used to ventillate anger against the Bishop and the clergy in general [since no names were given]. I will do the same if the insulting comments were made against Fr. Galias, much more if it was done anonymously.
Thank you for visiting this blog and I hope we can share more about other things. I leave the case of Fr. Galias to the competent authorities and will await the final resolution of the case.
Fr. Abe,
ReplyDeleteAny updates on what happened to Fr. Galias?
Thank you.
None at all. The excommunication is still imposed.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you Fr. Abe. I am from the very young Diocese of Ipil (elevated just last August 7). I was looking for some religious pictures on Google and I was brought to your blogsite. I find it really worthwhile reading your posts.
ReplyDeleteWith regards to this particular post, well, it's really wise that we heed to the voice of our Bishops as they are our shepherd entrusted to us by the Holy Father, who has the authority given by Christ Himself.
Fr., don't be downhearted with such an "anonymous fellow." Having not identified himself/herself would mean that s/he has said NOTHING at all.
Continue to be a priest, having the Heart of a Shepherd, unceasingly feeding His flock.
http://itsmylyf08.blogspot.com
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Thank you very much Bro. Darwin. God bless you.
ReplyDeleteFr. Abe..any news from the case of Fr.Anly Galias of the SMAHE?Is the ex-communication still imposed?
ReplyDeleteI don't know of anything new but yes the Excommunication is still enforce. There is no ruling that repeals it.
ReplyDelete