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By: Mae Singuay
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Thusday, June 1, 2017
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BACOLOD City – Parishioners and churchgoers of the Queen of Peace church at St. John’s Institute (SJI) were in tears after Bishop Patricio Buzon and priests from the Diocese of Bacolod removed the Blessed Sacraments of the church.
During the feastof the patron saint yesterday morning, a last mass was held in the church following the declaration of Buzon that the Queen of Peace will “de-parish.”
In a decree which was read to churchgoers, diocesan chancellor Fr. Roy Christian Gesulgon stated that the existing structure of the church has ceased to exist as a parish and diocesan shrine.
Under the decree, all church services are suspended and no reservations of the Blessed Sacraments will be permitted within the structure and its adoration chapel.
All clergy, diocesan and religious ministers are also obligated to abstain from celebrating sacraments and other church rites in the church.
However, Buzon also made a separate decree, saying the parish community of the Queen of Peace will be temporarily attached to the Redemptorist Shrine until a new parish church is established as per the Canon Law.
The appointed priests in the parish, Fr. Arnold Deletina and Fr. Raymon Asoy, will also continue to minister the pastoral needs of the community.
The decree added that a temporary office for the Queen of Peace community will be provided at the Redemptorist Shrine Rectory, where all records of the parish will be placed for safekeeping as well as for any other transactions.
A duly constituted Diocesan Transition Team was also tasked to ensure the proper assessment, inventory, and turnover of the assets of the Queen of Peace Parish to proper authorities until normalcy is achieved in relation to the transfer.
In an interview with members of the local media following the mass, Buzon insisted that SJI, popularly known as Hua Ming, is no longer considered as a Catholic school. Buzon said it is now a private school as they have removed all the priests and religious ministers from the institution.
“What makes a Catholic school is first, it has to have the recognition of the Bishop, and the presence of religious congregations like those with La Salle [University of St. La Salle-Bacolod] for example,” Buzon explained.
Buzon also stated that they will never close their doors to the board of trustees of SJI to restart negotiations, but stressed that everything will be up to the school administrators.
He also repeated his earlier statements, saying they never intended to leave the school, but were forced out.
Buzon also had some “change of heart” for the school’s Catholic community, citing that the structure itself could still be used as a school chapel for rosaries and novenas, but not Holy Masses.
Meanwhile, Arabel Lopue, SJI vice president, expressed sadness over the diocese’s move to “de-parish” the church, but he said the school administrators still respect the decision of the Bishop.
“We still believe something can happen,” Lopue said.
He furthermore said they are very much open for renewed talks with the diocese. He is also hoping for divine intervention over the controversy.
For his part, Mayor Evelio Leonardia disclosed that the Queen of Peace church has a sentimental value to him. It is where he married his wife, Elsa, in December 1988. His son, EJ, was also baptized in the same church.
The Leonardia couple said they are praying that both parties will reconcile for the good of the Church and its people.
“It is really sad that it happened. We don’t want to take side on the matter. We have been so attached to this Church. This is where my patron Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino who became a Saint, was enshrined. I run to Saint Ruiz for my politics and governance. Whatever may happen, we are attached to this Church,” he said.
Leonardia added that aside from its religious significance, the church was also a tourist attraction due to its unique architectural design./PN
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