CRITICAL CALL | Pope Francis dismisses Filipino priest over alleged sexual abuse of minors

September 18, 2023 , 02:00 PM

Content warning: This report mentions sexual abuse involving minors.

(September 18, 2023) – Pope Francis has dismissed a Filipino priest in Eastern Samar over alleged sexual abuse involving minors.

In a statement, the Diocese of Borongan announced the removal of Pio Aclon following this decision handed down by the Vatican.

“Notice is hereby given that the Holy Father Pope Francis has dismissed from the clerical state Pio Cultura Aclon of the Diocese of Borongan. He is, therefore, no longer a cleric and cannot exercise priestly ministry in the church,” read the information causa signed by Chancellor Fr. James B. Abella.

While it did not expound on the reason for Aclon’s dismissal, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) News said it was because of alleged sexual abuse. CBCP News added that Aclon last served in a minor seminary in Borongan before his suspension from the diocese took effect.

“Pope Francis has repeatedly apologized over the abuses and vowed to confront abusers and restore justice,” according to the report, adding that the CBCP won’t cover up any of these cases. “The CBCP has also created an office that will help protect minors from alleged sexual abuses by the clergy.”

Meanwhile, Aclon took to Facebook to demand a copy of the letter issued by Pope Francis.

“Matters like this are communicated to the concerned individual and not in the social media platform, (which) is never part of the procedural process on matters like this,” wrote Aclon, urging Most Rev. Crispin Varquez, the Bishop of Borongan, to explain.

According to media reports, Aclan had an influential role in spreading devotion to Mary the Mediatrix of All Grace but the Vatican said there was “no supernatural character and origin” in this case.

Last year, Pope Francis boldly declared that he has “zero tolerance” for any abuse in the Catholic Church, stressing in an exclusive interview with CNN Portugal that “a priest cannot remain a priest if he is an abuser.”

He lifted the secrecy rules on cases of abuse in 2019. With this, he instructed all dioceses to create a system wherein abuse will be properly reported. He later revised the canonical law that mandates church leaders to take action against those who perpetrate abuse in the Catholic Church.

“This is one thing about abuse—it’s a destructive thing, humanly diabolical,” said Pope Francis last year. “It is simply the monstrosity of a man or woman of the church who is psychologically ill or evil and uses their position for their personal satisfaction.”

Last August, he also criticized church leaders in Portugal for not addressing sexual abuse claims, noting how this pushes people to veer away from catechism.

A report found that at least 4,815 boys and girls may have been abused by the Catholic Church in Portugal since 1950.

(PM)

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