Simala

My first and only visit to the Our Lady of the Holy Eucharist Shrine in Simala was sometime last year. It was on a Sunday and the 13th of the month. An officemate warned me that there will be a lot of people because every 13th of the month is the feast day of the shrine. I went anyway, with my family in tow. I had to go because I made a promise, a saad, to Mama Mary.

When we arrived at about past 6 a.m., a sea of devotees was already gathered in front of the gates to the shrine. As soon as the gates opened at 8 a.m., devotees rushed inside only to find out that there were already a lot of people there. But still devotees braved the searing heat of the sun and waited in line for their turn to get inside the Church.

This is how devotees regard the shrine at Simala. Devotees consider the place holy that you already feel blessed by the Virgin Mary the moment you enter the shrine's gates.

But what are these supposed scandals happening behind the walls of the shrine, reportedly involving the very people who run it? Sex, lies and corruption are allegedly being committed by the Marian Monks of the Eucharistic Adoration, the monks who run the shrine.

Roman Catholic monks, according to the online Catholic encyclopedia (www.newdvent.org), are "a group of men who lead a more contemplative life apart from the world, under the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience." Monastic life, according to Wikipedia, generally consists of prayer, divine reading and manual labor. Monks, compared to other religious orders, also lead simple, austere lives.

Paul Cabillon, a former monk from the congregation, alleged that monks at the shrine spend more time counting money than praying---that the congregation owns at least five vehicles---and have millions of pesos in their bank accounts and in vaults. This is clearly a violation of the monks' vow of poverty. Add to that the allegations that the monks own guns, reportedly to protect themselves and the shrine from thieves. And I thought monks are supposed to lead simple and austere lives!

Allegations of sex and the holding of a Miss Gay competition inside the shrine are indications that the monks who run the place don't consider the shrine holy. To think devotees are made to buy scarves to cover themselves when entering the Church since sleeveless blouses and shirts, shorts and plunging necklines are a no-no at Simala!

And why hold a Miss Gay competition, or monks dressing up as women (there are people who say it wasn't really a Miss Gay competition) as a recreational activity? Can't they think of other activities to entertain themselves?

The Catholic Church, according to www.catholic.com, considers homosexuality and homosexual acts a disorder and contrary to the natural law. However the Catholic Church said that these people must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity. And here is a congregation of Catholic monks dressing up as women, complete with wigs and make-up, holding a competition of sorts, to entertain themselves!

Leaders of the Catholic Church said that those who have deep faith in God will not be affected with the allegations against the monks at Simala. The controversy involving the monks may not have affected my faith in the Lord and my devotion to Mama Mary, but it has given me more reasons to doubt some of God's representatives here on Earth.