Jaro Archdiocese probes complaints vs. two priests

ILOILO CITY, Philippines – The Archdiocese of Jaro yesterday assured parishioners that it has started investigations on the complaints filed against two of its priests in Iloilo province.

Fr. Ryan Teves, director for social communications, said that they are ascertaining every fact of the cases so that they could come up with good resolutions.

“We would like to resolve the case as soon as soon as possible but it might take time because we are exploring every angle before coming up with actions,” Teves said.

Unlike the usual investigation, he explained that they hold dialogues and talked to all parties involved and other parishioners about the issues.

Bishop Gerry Alminaza, auxiliary bishop and vicar general of the Jaro Archdiocese, has already started investigating the complaints against Monsignor Juanito Ma. Tuvilla of the Dingle Parish Church and Fr. Nelson Silvela of the Sta. Barbara Parish Church.

Alminaza went to Dingle town and talked to the family who complained against Tuvilla. The archdiocese however has yet to receive a letter reportedly from the municipal government of Dingle seeking for Tuvilla’s relief.

The complaint against Tuvilla stemmed from reports that he did not finish a requiem mass after the wife of the deceased did not stop from wailing. Other parishioners also came out alleging the parochial vicar’s snooty attitude.

“Dingle is a big town. So, we must also get what’s the take of other parishioners,” Teves said.

In the case against Silvela, Teves said the sacristan mayor who filed the complaint has met with Alminaza to air his complaints last Monday, February 7.

The 30-year-old sacristan mayor Elemer Grate narrated that Silvela called him to report at around 11 p.m. of February 2. Grate was with fellow helpers Jesmar and Richard.

The complainant alleged that the seemingly drunk priest smacked the three of them in the nape and hurled invectives at them. He surmised that their silence might have further angered the priest. Seconds later, Silvela allegedly stood near him and choke him while threatening to kill him.

He further alleged that, sometime in 2003, the same priest also punched him on the stomach.

Alminaza, according to the archdiocese, had talked to the council members of Sta. Barbara Parish to shed light on the issue. “The investigation might take time but it’s for us to arrive to the best solution to the problem,” said Teves.

It was gathered that Archbishop Angel Lagdameo is now in Rome, Italy and might be back on February 22.