TWO ex-monks and a former devotee of a popular shrine in Simala, Sibonga town revealed yesterday allegations of corruption and sex, saying these have tainted the pilgrimage site for years.
The claims, aired in radio and television reports, went unanswered by the shrine’s officials. A senior official of the Cebu Archdiocese said the complaints should have been brought up with Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.
In an interview with radio DyAB yesterday morning, Dr. Edwin Fonghe, a physician from Dalaguete town, and two former monks who identified themselves as Paul Cabillon and a certain Dodong claimed that the group overseeing the Blessed Virgin of Lindogon has been “degrading†the shrine and violating vows of chastity, obedience and charity.
But Msgr. Esteban Binghay, episcopal vicar of the Cebu Archdiocese, said that Cabillon was recently expelled from the congregation of the Marian Monks of the Eucharistic Adoration.
This was reported in the Archdiocese’s publication “Ang Bag-ong Lungsoranon,†Binghay confirmed.
Binghay said the allegations should have been discussed with the archbishop, since the group is under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese.
“It could have been done properly and in the right forum,†said Binghay.
If they do not trust Cardinal Vidal, Binghay advised the three men to seek an audience with the Apostolic Nuncio in Rome so that the matter can be investigated.
Miss GayHe told Sun.Star Cebu that Fray Martin Mary, the congregation’s superior, informed him Cabillon had been expelled because he left the congregation without giving notice.
Binghay said that Cabillon was supposed to be transferred to a sister congregation in Hilongos, Leyte, but when Fray Martin called his counterparts there, he was told the monk didn’t proceed to his new assignment.
Among Cabillon’s allegations were that a Miss Gay pageant had been held in the shrine and that “lewd sexual acts†were practiced there. He also accused the monks of greed.
Cabillon, who said he has been a monk for more than 17 years, also described himself as one of the founders of the shrine in Lindogon.
However, he said he resigned from their congregation due to a conflict with the monks and decided to leave for Hilongos, Leyte. This happened earlier this year, said Cabillon.
SexTo his shock, in August he found his picture and name printed in the Cebu Archdiocese’s “Ang Bag-ong Lungsuranon,†which stated he has been officially removed since he left the congregation without permission. The notice was signed by Fray Martin and Cardinal Vidal.
Cabillon dismissed the publication’s statement as a lie. He added that before he left the congregation, Fray Martin granted him permission.
Cabillon, a self-professed homosexual, said that in 2006, he had sex with a novice monk who made advances on him.
“Iya kung gisaka sa akong kwarto… Dili unta ko gusto kay naa mi gapuyo sa sagrado na lugar, pero…nagpatintal ra sad ko (He went to my room. I didn’t want to have sex but I yielded to the temptation),†said Cabillon.
Cabillon alleged that Fray Martin advised the monks to confess their sins to him, to protect the congregation’s reputation and the Marian shrine.
Cabillon added that during their anniversary, Fray Martin had allegedly organized a Miss Gay pageant inside the shrine for the monks to join. (A picture is being circulated showing some men dressed in drag, next to a few nuns. There are no marks to prove this took place inside the shrine.)
Cabillon said he tried to stop the Miss Gay pageant, but heeded his vow of obedience and joined it. He won second prize.
Dodong, a novice monk who stayed in Simala from February to November 2007, said he wasn’t spared from the homosexual deeds of his fellow monks.
Dodong alleged that one of the senior monks had him sit on the other’s lap.
Dodong also complained he often spent his time counting the money that devotees contributed to the shrine.
“Sa mga ordinaryong monghe, sige gyud nag silag pangadyi, pero sa amoa, sige lang mig kwenta ug sinseyo. Maabtan lang gud mi ug kadlawn ug sige ug pangwenta (Other monks spend most of their time praying. We spent most of our time counting loose change, sometimes until dawn),†said Dodong.
Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on September 18, 2009Linkback:
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