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BY SONIA D. DAQUILA
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Father Damaso, a non-fictional character
THE ROMAN Catholic Church easily forgives an erring priest, and once a priest, one remains a priest forever.
These two principles are divine, yet these allow the guilty to commit acts with impunity, and these are often abused.
In 1800s no one dared criticize this in public lest one suffer the consequences. Thus, Jose Rizal titled his book Noli me Tangere (Touch me Not). His satires directly hit some of the priests, then and now.
For instance, in one chapter of his book, Fr. Damaso (the biological father of Ma. Clara) delivered his sermon, and he said, “If a member of your body leads you to sin, cut it off and throw it into the fire… Father Damaso was nervous: he had forgotten his sermon and rhetoric. ‘Did you hear that?’ A young student from Manila whispered to his companion. The guy replied, ‘Well, are you going to cut it off?’ ‘Fat chances, let him do it first.’”
The book was written 130 years ago yet the same acts of immorality occur again and again, such as the case of Monsignor Arnel Lagarejos. He has put the Roman Catholic Church in bad light despite the religious rituals he does every day and his perpetual vow of celibacy, poverty and obedience. Just like some priests in some religious denominations, this priest rides a luxury car, has costly gadgets, and has money to pay the pimp, the victim and the motel. While he is stripped off of his obligations and rights as a priest, Philippine society will always see in him an indelible stigma.
What perpetuates immoral predispositions despite the religious rituals the priests observe daily? There are three Filipino values worth reflecting upon: the lusot system, the pakiusap (extra-legal / judicial settlement) and the walang pakialam (apathethic attitude).
Lusot system allows one to commit an offense, so long as one is not caught or no one complains; the pakiusap easily assuages the pains or the shame suffered by the victims with the thought of forgiveness as passport to heaven; and the walang pakialam attitude of Pinoys makes the wrong seemingly right.
Rizal was correct after all. In a conversation of parents in Noli me Tangere, the old folks chose priesthood as a luxurious job for their children. Read again Noli me Tangere. There are also priests who are worth the respect and love of their parishioners, self-sacrificing, true to their calling, and faithful to death like Father Florentino.
So, who says that Father Damaso is a fictional character? He is still very much with us today. (delsocorrodaquila@gmail.com/PN)
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