But apology not accepted: Priest sorry for outburst

CEBU, Philippines - The priest who became the target of the ire of many netizens after he was recorded mercilessly castigating the young mother of a baby he was about to baptize has issued an apology for his actions.

This, as the religious community to which the priest belongs also issued a separate letter of apology while announcing an internal investigation.

In a written statement, Fr. Romeo “Oming” Obach, C.Ss.R. expressed remorse over his actions just this Sunday when he led the baptismal rites of a one month-old baby whose mother is a 17 year-old unwed mother.

“I am now making a public heartfelt apology to the mother of the child and her immediate family. The words I said and the rude attitude that I showed before I performed the rite of Baptism last Sunday, July 6, 2014 at the Sacred Heart Chapel, Jagobiao, Mandaue City was indeed unbecoming. I deeply regret that I have done this. I only later realized how cruel my ways to educate and impart lessons for the said event. I am deeply sorry to the mother of the child, her relatives, the sponsors and the witnesses of the incident. I am sorry to the internet viewers, to media listeners and viewers for this mistake I personally admit. I am deeply sorry and I humbly ask for your forgiveness. I execute this statement of apology on this 8th of July 2014 at Cebu City,” Obach’s public apology read in full.

Redemptorist Community Holy Redeemer Provincial Center media liaison Fr. Alfonso Suico, Jr. C.Ss.R. said the priest has been temporarily barred from officiating Eucharistic celebrations until their internal investigation is concluded.

Obach belongs to the religious order of Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer whose provincialate is located in Cebu City.

The congregation likewise issued a separate statement asking for forgiveness from the family of the baptized baby and the embarrassed teenage mother, assuring the Catholics and the public that they are acting upon the issue that has sparked online anger.

“As a religious community, we DO NOT CONDONE such UNACCEPTABLE ACT as it is contrary to the Charism and Mission for which our Congregation was founded—compassion especially to the poor and the most abandoned. We sincerely feel for the family and to them we extend our heartfelt apology,” the Redemptorist Community statement signed by Suico read.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma “totally agreed” with the contents of the two letters of apology and expressed confidence that the Redemptorist Community will be able to address this justly as he described the order to be among those displaying good and sound judgment.

However, in the event that the results of the internal investigation are questioned by any party, this will be the time that the archdiocese will step in.

“As a general rule, we give the community a chance to conduct their own investigation. If we feel that some may not be satisfied, then we will come in. But knowing the capacity of the Redemptorist Community, they will be able to come up with a just investigation,” Palma yesterday told reporters.

Had Obach been a diocesan priest, the archdiocese would have a direct hand in the investigation and imposing possible sanctions.

Palma referred to Pope Francis who recently apologized for the inappropriate acts of priests around the globe, reminding both ordained and the lay to be compassionate especially to the less fortunate and vulnerable.

While the Redemptorist Community’s statement said that they are reaching out the family of the young mother, the victim said they have not received a copy of the public apology and would have wanted a personal apology from Obach since the humiliated was done face-to-face.

A visiting priest from Vatican, who is here in Cebu to inspect the preparation for the International Eucharistic Congress which the Philippines and Cebu will host, said the archdiocese is the proper office to directly look into the matter.

“Vatican is far away from Cebu. We are usually the last to act on the matter. It is the archdiocese under Archbishop Palma that will directly handle the issue,” Fr. Vittore Boccardi told reporters.

Palma said he learned about the viral video 10 p.m. Monday evening while on a retreat and initially intended to personally talk to Obach and the Redemptorist Community but his tight schedule did not allow this.

The video, which has already garnered more than 37,000 shares and almost 10,000 likes on Facebook, drew a mixture of reactions from netizens.

Reacting to The Freeman photo of Obach’s public apology, there were also Facebook users who wanted Obach to resign.

“I am waiting for him to say ‘I have decided to take some time off from my duties…’ Aron maka-reflect ka sa imong kaugalingon ug nganung nawad-an ka sa maayong pamatasan. That was a long moment of weakness. Something evil took over you. You need to look into your heart and reflect on your actions,” read the comment by Whatsmyname Gene.

“You should resign as a priest…you are unworthy of  being one! Your sorry can’t repair the damage and humiliation you had caused to the girl and her family,” wrote Carmen Manaloto David.

Others came to the aid of Obach.

“Kristiyano kuno pero hindi makapatawad. Wagas makakomento iba rito parang hindi nakapagsalita rin ng masakit tulad ng pari nato. Mas masahol pa kayo sa humusga at makapanlait kay sa pari. Tingnan nyo komento nyo. Parang genocide criminal ang pari kung kayo’y humusga. Nagkasala sya. Humingi ng tawad, kayo humingin ba kayo ng tawad kung nakapagsalita kayo ng masakit sa kapwa nyo? Mga hepokrito!” commented LeaHMae Legaspi.

“Ang lahat ng tao ay nagkakamali. Malala man o bahagya lamang, ngunit sa pagkakamali na ito ay naruon ang pagtanggap na siya ay nakamali ay nagpapakita lamang na siya ay nagkasala. Huwag natin husgahan kung ito man ay galing sa bibig o pagkukunwari lamang. Nasa atin na ang pagtanggap. Di madaling humingi ng kapatawaran,” Edsa Uno said.

No forgiveness…yet

However, the young mother said she cannot yet find it in her heart to forgive Obach as his “cruel words and pointing fingers” are still fresh in her mind.

 The father of the victim also said the priest should have been more considerate to his daughter

“Ni-agi biya ni’g suicide attempt akong anak, dapat bantayunon ang iyang lihok hasta iyang pagtulog,” he said.

The parents of the young mother said they will privately discuss whether or not to take further action regarding the issue.

Some government agencies and groups have offered to assist the victim if she decides to take legal action against Obach.

Senior Inspector Marylou Cuizon, chief of the Women and Children Protection Desk of the Police Regional Office-7, said they are willing to assist the victims if she is willing to file criminal charges against Obach.

Cuizon viewed the video and said she will be waiting for the family of the offended party to ask assistance from their office.

“Grabe sad diay kasabaa,” she said.

The family can also directly ask assistance from the women’s desk of the Basak police station or the Mandaue City Police Office.

Cuizon said she will ordered the Basak police station’s women and children desk officer to investigate the matter, she added the law does not exempt priests from charges.  -With Christell Fatima M. Tudtud and Ria Mae Y. Booc/BRP (FREEMAN)