Among the basic rights of Catholics as guaranteed by Church Canon Law is to have a voice in all decisions that affect them, including the choosing of their leaders. Collaterally this also include the right to have their leaders accountable to the. (C. 492, C. 1287). Canon law also provides Catholics with the right to express publicly their dissent in regard to decisions made by church authorities. (C. 212, C. 218, C. 753).
Almost a year ago, (April 2011), no less than 800 parishioners of Holy Cross Church and parish petitioned for the expulsion of Fr. Henry Visitacion and his Pastoral Council. Canon Law 1741 of Chapter I Section II lists down 5 causes for which a pastor can be removed legitimately from his parish. One cause could have provided sufficient ground for his removal, but his misdemeanors encompassed practically all given conditions/causes, more than enough to warrant his expulsion.
Fr. Henry's manner of acting is autocratic and punitive causing him to charge a Fil-Am couple with malicious mischief and robbery (later dismissed for absurdity). Proceeding from these trumped-up charges, he stigmatized and ostracized them in printed articles and in church announcements during the masses. His wrath did not spare even the young innocent nephews and nieces of the couple, whom he drove out while playing in the church plaza. What caused him to do these oppressive actions? Because the Caseys were the only ones who opposed his arbitrary move to wall off their road right of way.
This intrusion itself violated a covenant entered into by a land donor (the deceased Mr. Corro) and Fr. Padilla, the original parish priest of HCC. The latter confirmed in an affidavit (executed in 1997) that Mr. Corro's Deed of Donation (now part of the church plaza) contained a stipulation for the maintenance of the road right of way, for the use by those who had previously land from him (the Casey's included). The covenanter sealed the document in a jar and had it ensconced under the altar, to insure its inviolability. This blatant violation and disregard of sacred covenant is sacrilegious which degraded the deceased donor to become a vendor in bad faith.
There are also ugly rumors whispered about concerning our parish priest, but none so far have exploded into scandals as had happened in some of his previous assignments. These however are frowned upon by morally upright parishioners.
He is also culpable of grave neglect of some of his parochial duties. Most detestable is his apparent aversion to administering the Sacrament of Extreme Unction, especially to the gravely ill and dying, Parishioners are required to make prior appointments for this purpose.
For whatever conflicting reasons the Knights of Columbus of HCC have long ridden to the sunset in the course of his tenure. The PTA of Basak Elem. School has desisted from asking him to hold Holy mass for their graduating students because of previous unpleasant experience.
The enumerated incidents above are only some of the causes which will provide compelling reasons for Fr. Henry's removal from our parish. Besides his supposed tenure here has long been overdue (4years), so that we request Your Grace to heed the clamor of 800 Parishioners of HCC to remove him as per Canon Law, if only for the reason that his ministry here is now deemed ineffective.
Respectfully,
Conscientious Parishioners