Justice Delayed to Fil-Am Priest Fr. Ed Abano by U.S. Catholic Bishop Bootkoski
It has been more than 60 days and counting since Fr. Edgardo Abano was issued a “no bill” by a grand jury last February 22, 2008 which meant that the prosecution had no case.
His immediate superior, Bishop Paul Gregory Bootkoski of the Metuchen Diocese in New Jersey, has not met nor spoken to Fr. Abano ever since the Bishop’s office referred the sexual harassment complaint filed by a seminarian directly to the police in September 25, 2007.
What has been hindering the Bishop? When Note #7 of the Essential Norms for Diocesan – Eparchial Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (U.S.C.C.B.) stipulates that “the necessary observance of the canonical norms internal to the Church is not intended in any way to hinder the course of any civil action that may be operative.”
Now that the grand jury has decided that there is no case, Essential Norms #13 specifies that “when an accusation has been shown to be unfounded, every step possible will be taken to restore the good name of the person falsely accused.”
Bishop Bootkoski has been swift in referring the case to the police without consulting Fr. Abano about the veracity of the claim. Why has the Bishop not been equally swift in correcting the injustice suffered by Fr. Abano?
What’s more important than restoring the reputation of a man who has been serving as a priest of good standing for 25 years in New Jersey and around the world?
What’s more compassionate than healing the humiliation and suffering endured by Fr. Abano’s mother, sisters, families and relatives since his arrest in Oct. 23, 2007 by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Piscataway Police?
What’s more compelling to his time that Bishop Bootkoski couldn’t meet or even send a Diocesan representative to meet with and give comfort to the parishioners of St. Frances Cabrini Church who are fighting to save their pastor for 15 years?
“I ask you to love your priests, and to affirm them in the excellent work that they do” from Pope Benedict’s XVI homily at Nationals Stadium, Washington D.C., April 17, 2008. Let it be said that this is a clear call to the greater spectrum of priestly ministry … where then is the love and support for your priest, Bishop Bootkoski?
Background
September 2007
The Diocese of Metuchen informed Fr. Abano and his parishioners that the diocese will be closing down St. Frances Cabrini Catholic School. Enrollment was down, school was underused, and St. Frances Cabrini Church was subsidizing the school. Because of the subsidy, while St. Frances Cabrini Church could pay the yearly assessments deemed by the Diocese, they couldn’t pay the Diocesan debts. In 2000, the Metuchen Diocese “forgave” debts owed by many parishes in honor of Jubilee Year except St. Frances Cabrini and a very few others.
Fr. Abano and parishioners are fighting to prevent the closure of the school.
September 25, 2007, Tuesday
Glenn Obrero, 25, a seminarian at the Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University in New Jersey, filed a complaint of sexual contact with the Diocese of Metuchen against Fr. Abano, 51, Pastor of St. Frances Cabrini Church and School, for allegedly touching him on the chest and buttocks three years ago (2005). The bishop’s office referred the matter to the Police Department of Piscataway who proceeded with an investigation with Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office in New Jersey.
October 19, 2007, Friday
The investigators taped a phone conversation in Tagalog they set up with Glenn Obrero at the police station where he called Fr. Abano, a day after Fr. Abano’s birthday.
October 23, 2007, Tuesday
A Mr. Bong Nepomuceno, court translator, submitted his transcript of the taped phone conversation to the investigators.
At around 6:30 p.m., Piscataway police arrested Fr. Abano at the rectory charging him with sexual contact. He was denied his request to change clothes and was brought to the police station for booking in his undershirt, shorts and slippers. On the same night, he was released on $1,500 bail.
October 24, 2007
Fr. Abano was asked by the diocese to sign a paper stating that he was voluntarily asking to be relieved of his responsibilities as Pastor of St. Frances Cabrini to concentrate on the case. He then resigned from his positions in the diocese and national catholic groups:
- Director of the Office of Multicultural Ministries of the Metuchen Diocese that oversees nine ethnic ministries;
- Chairman of the Commission for the Filipino Apostolate of the Diocese of Metuchen;
- Director of the Indonesian Apostolate of the Diocese of Metuchen;
- Head Shepherd of the Association of Filipino Catholic Charismatic Prayer Communities of the U.S.A. and Canada, an association with around 40,000 members.
Fr. Edgardo Abano has served as Pastor of St. Frances Cabrini Parish (church and school) since 1992. He was ordained here in the United States on May 18, 1985 and had served many parishes in New Jersey prior to St. Frances Cabrini Parish including: Our Lady of Lourdes in Whitehouse Station; Immaculate Concepcion Church in Somerville, Saints Philip and James Church in Phillipsburg; and Our Lady of Fatima in Piscataway.
The arrest of Fr. Abano on Oct. 23 was carried by local and international news and media services including The Filipino Channel, ABS-CBN, which reported this around the world.
Fr. Abano hired a well-known criminal defense lawyer, Joseph Benedict, to represent him. Parishioners, friends, and the Filipino Diocesan Community set up a legal defense fund, a prayer wheel round-the-clock, as well as a website, http://SaveOurPastor.org/, among others, to show their whole-hearted support and belief in Fr. Abano’s innocence on the charge brought against him.
Benedict was curious how a charge could be brought based on a translated taped conversation when Fr. Abano consistently avowed his innocence of the alleged crime. An expert was commissioned to listen to the tape and translate it from Tagalog to English for a second opinion.
The new translation submitted to Benedict clearly showed that the transcript submitted by Nepomuceno to the police and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s office was incomplete and inaccurate. This in effect, skewed the earlier transcript to show admittance of guilt by Fr. Abano.
Benedict stated, “The denials were there (in the new transcript), the complaints were there.” He added, “I’m not sure that Fr. Abano would have been charged in the first place if they had an accurate transcript.” He filed for trial by grand jury based on the new translation which contradicted the key piece of evidence the prosecutor’s office had on the alleged crime.
It was an unusual and risky move but Benedict was convinced that this method would prevent long trial so that Fr. Abano can continue his ministries. There were court postponements along the way but they were determined on the course to clear his name.
February 2, 2008
Frank Cicerale, on behalf of all parishioners of St. Frances Cabrini, supporters and friends of Fr. Abano, sent a letter to Bishop Bootkoski to ask about his actions for the parish.
The Bishop responded promptly that “he finds no reason to meet” because he cannot discuss the case while it is still ongoing.
February 13, 2008
Cicerle responded to the Bishop’s email that there was still a need for guidance and answers on future actions by the bishop’s office regarding the parish. Reference here(pdf).
Bishop Bootkoski did not respond to this email.
February 22, 2008
Fr. Abano and Glenn Obrero testified separately before a grand jury in New Brunswick, N.J. At 2:45 P.M., after only 45 minutes of grand jury deliberation, Middlesex Assistant Prosecutor Christie Bevacqua went to the conference room where Benedict and Fr. Abano were waiting to tell them that the jury issued a “no bill” finding which meant that the prosecution had no case.
Fr. Abano was thankful for the decision and wrote a message to his friends and supporters about this ordeal entitled “Cased Dismissed! Praise the Lord!,” which you can read on the link here. In his message, Fr. Abano related that during the deliberation by the grand jury, he was praying to Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Divine Mercy to uphold his innocence of such alleged crime. His prayers were answered.
February 26, 2008
After the diocese was informed of the grand jury decision, the office of Bishop Bootkoski released a statement saying that he would “review the grand jury’s” findings and meet with Fr. Abano before making a decision about the pries’s future.”
To date, Bishop Bootkoski has not met with Fr. Abano nor spoken to him directly.
March 13, 2008
21 days after the acquittal, Frank Cicerle sent a new letter to Bishop Bootkoski celebrating the “vindication of Fr. Abano by the courts.” There was no more barrier to the meeting with Bishop Bootkoski.
To date, the Bishop had not responded to this email as well.
March 18 – April 17, 2008
26 days after the acquittal, not hearing from the Bishop or his office about a meeting to discuss his future including the resumption of his faculties to practice his priestly vocation, Fr. Ed Abano informed the Diocese that he was going on a retreat in the Philippines.
Upon his return to New Jersey, Fr. Abano touched base with the office of Bishop Bootkoski. There was still no word on when he will be able to meet with the bishop.
Inconsistencies
1. Essential Norms # 6: When an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor by a priest or deacon is received, a preliminary investigation in accordance with canon law will be initiated and conducted promptly and objectively (CIC, c. 1717; CCEO, c. 1468). During the investigation the accused enjoys the presumption of innocence, and all appropriate steps shall be taken to protect his reputation. The accused will be encouraged to retain the assistance of civil and canonical counsel and will be promptly notified of the results of the investigation. — U.S.C.C.B.
While it was just and right for a diocese to inform the police about the claim of sexual abuse, what precluded the Bishop from verifying the claim with Fr. Abano, a priest in good standing? Why has the bishop delayed meeting or speaking with Fr. Abano after the charges were filed and even after Fr. Abano’s acquittal?
This goes to the heart of the matter. While the bishop must be compassionate and caring for the “alleged victim,” so too must he be compassionate and caring for the “alleged abuser.”
2. The Dallas Charter and its Essential Norms (pdf) set up by the U.S.C.C.B., deals with protection of minors which requires church workers to report any claims of such to the police as soon as it brought to their attention. It should be noted though that care must also be taken to see that offenses committed with adults are not treated as if they fell under the provisions of the Dallas charter and its Essential Norms.
In this case, the claim was made by a 25-year old man, which was covered by the Metuchen Diocese Code of Pastoral Conduct (our copy of the pdf file). The bishop had the opportunity and means to ask Fr. Abano whether the claim was true or not, but he chose not to do so.
As of my links check at 12:15 p.m., 05/02/08, the Diocese of Metuchen has prevented PinoyWired.com from linking to the PDF file of their Code of Conduct directly. We’ve uploaded a link to one of the copies we downloaded during the course of our research/investigation. For a direct link to the Diocese’s file copy and paste this link in your browser: http://www.diometuchen.org/cyp/docs/codeofconduct.pdf We’ve not had the opportunity to check whether the document has been changed from the version we downloaded.
ADDENDUM: The Diocese of Metuchen has a Policy in Response to Complaints of Sexual Abuse. You can view the file by copying and pasting the URL below in your browser (remember the diocese has disabled all links from this site to the diocesan site): diometuchen.org/cyp/docs/diopolicy1.pdf It looks like the bishop did not follow this policy with regards to Fr. Abano as well.
While we are very strong advocates against abuse, there must be better policies in the dioceses to protect the priests from “fictitious claims.” The recent national sex abuse scandal of the Catholic Church in the U.S. has opened innocent church workers to fictitious sex abuse claims.
3. When did the Metuchen Diocese hire Glenn Obrero, a seminarian? Did the diocese hire Obrero before he could obtain his work authorization or were the press mistaken or misled about his employment by the diocese?
News reports about the arrest said that Obrero was an employee of the Metuchen Diocese. Our investigation revealed that Obrero is a Filipino who came to the U.S. on a tourist visa in 2005. He then applied for and was granted a 2-year student visa, first as a student at Seton Hall in the English as a Second Language Program, then as a seminarian at the Immaculate Conception Seminary at the same university in South Orange, New Jersey.
He returned to the Philippines in August of 2007 to renew his student visa at the American Embassy in Manila. He flew back to NJ at the end of August 2007. In September, he filed a claim about the alleged sexual contact which happened in 2005.
Further research revealed that it takes at least two to three months – if you’re lucky – in order to process a work authorization permit from Homeland Security before anyone can legally work in the United States while on student visa. Unless there is a fast track process for church workers, Obrero couldn’t possibly be an employee of the Metuchen Diocese per news reports when he made the claim nor when Fr. Abano was arrested. Otherwise, this would mean that the Bishop’s Office had hired him illegally.
If Obrero was indeed hired by the diocese and paid standard rates, why did he keep on asking different people including Fr. Abano for money to help him to pay for his studies?
Calling on the Good Shepherd
This is a traumatic time for the parishioners, as anyone would be traumatized when your pastor of 15 years is arrested on sexual contact charge and neither the Bishop nor any diocesan representative were available to answer questions or to comfort.
Given that the Bishop has not spoken with his priest as a pastoral father during this time of trial, many parishioners are appealing that Bishop Bootkoski be a caring good shepherd to their community.
Justice delayed is justice denied!
Right now, the focus of Fr. Abano is to “clear his good name and good name of his family,” said his sister, who added, “He wants to get back his faculties to practice his priestly ministry. This test of faith has only strengthened his resolve and conviction that he will continue his vocation as a priest to serve God and His people.”
Fr. Ed Abano has turned down all requests for interviews while the case was ongoing. After his grand jury acquittal, he further delayed all interviews until after his meeting with Bishop Bootkoski.
Support for Fr. Abano
In Redemptionis Sacramentum it states that “Any Catholic, whether Priest or Deacon or lay member of Christ’s faithful, has the right to lodge a complaint to the diocesan Bishop or the competent Ordinary equivalent to him in law, or to the Apostolic See on account of the primacy of the Roman Pontiff. It is fitting, however, insofar as possible, that the report or complaint be submitted first to the diocesan Bishop. This is naturally to be done in truth and charity.”
If you would like to support Fr. Abano, please write to:
Bishop Paul Gregory Bootkoski
Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen, N.J.
The St. John Neumann Pastoral Center
146 Metlars Lane
Piscataway, NJ 08854
Email: bishop@diometuchen.org
Website link (copy and paste on browser):
http://www.diometuchen.org/mainweb/bishop.htm
Phone: (732) 562-1990
Most Reverend Cardinal Pietro Sambi
Embassy of the Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See
3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20008
Telephone: (202)333-7121
Fax: (202) 337-4036
Most Reverend Cardinal William Joseph Levada
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
Vatican City, Vatican
Email: cdf@cfaith.va Website Link
UPDATE: May 29, 2008 – Fr. Ed Abano won’t be reinstated as pastor of St. Frances Cabrini Parish in New Jersey. Instead, he will be taking a one year sabbatical leave in the Philippines. Check out this mycentraljersey.com article. Prior to his departure, Fr. Abano will be celebrating his farewell mass with the St. Frances Cabrini parishioners and friends on June 8th.
Fr. Abano’s sabbatical includes, among other ministries, study and work at the East Asian Pastoral Institute (EAPI), a world-renowned center of learning located within the Jesuit Ateneo de Manila University campus in Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines.
Last 5 Posts by Maria Maria
- Fil-I-Am Benefit Showcase for Typhoon Relief - October 28th, 2009
- Top Ranked Fil-Am Mixed Martial Artists Unite for Special Typhoon Relief Benefit - October 19th, 2009
- “We are One!” Concert for Victims of Ondoy and Parma - October 15th, 2009
- 1st Annual Filipino International Film Festival in Los Angeles - October 7th, 2009
- Please Help The Victims of Typhoon Ondoy - Donate, Volunteer, Pray - September 27th, 2009
This is so shocking. While I was reading this article I thought, why has it come to this point? Why is the dirty laundry of the church being paraded for all to see?
But the more I think about it, there has been an injustice committed to the priest if his own bishop has not spoken to him, and I thank you for speaking up for Fr. Abano. This injustice must be corrected.
It is now time for the Bishop to defend and protect the honor of his priest and not continue to persecute by ignoring the decision of a civil jury and not talking to Fr. Abano.
Defending his priest is defending the honor of the Church and the other priests who live up to their ministry of service.
This is one of the reasons I didn’t become a nun. Some bishops can be so heartless.
They may have been promoted as bishops because of their intelligence and all those college degrees and doctorates. But someone should tell them that the most important aspect of becoming a bishop is to have a HEART – to LOVE your fellow men and women.
Our Holy Father’s visit was last April 15-20th. How did Bishop Bootkoski have the gall to face Pope Benedict XVI and truthfully affirm that he “loved his priests, and affirmed them in the excellent work that they do” when he left a priest hanging in purgatory about his future? Is it then any wonder, that there are less and less men and women taking their vows for priestly or religious life?
This is a grave injustice to Fr. Abano and an abuse of power, Bishop Bootkoski. As I read it, you wanted to close the school of St. Frances Cabrini parish and Fr. Abano and the parishioners are fighting to keep it. Are you now “teaching them a lesson” on who has the power in the diocese? Shame on you!!!
P.S. Thank you PinoyWired.com for posting this article. That took guts.
The bishop wants to close down the school because of unpaid debts to the diocese? It’s so sad that the bishop places more importance on money than on catholic education. Is money then the priority of the Metuchen diocese? The Catholic Church should inspire more people to join the faith and not to repel them with this inhumane treatment and arrogant neglect. For what are people expected to conclude when a priest of 25 years is treated this way and faithful catholics of St. Frances Cabrini are not even given any guidance or comfort in this traumatic time? It shows how bad some bishops can treat their own “children” in the faith. It is a turn-off for those considering on joining the Catholic Church.
In view of the fact that there is no case it is now IMPERATIVE for Bishop Bootkoski to take every step possible to restore the good name of the priest – Fr. Abano. In doing so the Bishop will also restore the respect of the people to the Church and to priests.
If we take into consideration the SIN of the Church and the many priests who have been accused and found guilty the news that there one priest who is found not guilty gives us new light and GOOD NEWS.
In place of silence on the part of the Bishop, there should have be an outcry of rejoicing in the Diocese, a headliner with the picture of the Bishop embracing his priest – Fr. Abano – after he has been wronged, victimized, and humiliated with all news and media services reporting his arrest and the accusation. Parishioners, friends and family of Fr. Abano should be highly regarded for all their support and belief in the innocence of their priest. Give Fr. Abano the justice accorded him. Share the good news to the whole country, if not the world that we do have good priests!
I guess my next question is what happens to the accuser?
The key word here is “humility”. Bishop Bootkoski should humble himself and accept the decision of the Grandy Jury and set an example to all his priests on how to be a Good Shepherd by protecting his own flock.
Let us continue to pray for Fr. Abano and his family that they remain strong in God’s faith.
@AdVela: You’re welcome and thank you for your comment.
I know where you’re coming from. It was shocking to learn about this situation in the first place. We belong to a Roman Catholic Church that is loving, charitable and faithful. A Catholic bishop who would not speak to his priest since this ordeal began nor to the parishioners who support the church is unconscionable in my opinion.
@Emilia: Thank you. You’re Right On! When one does nothing or says nothing to correct an injustice even if one is not directly affected, one is enabling the injustice. Thank you for speaking up.
@Janelle: You’re welcome and thank you. Not all bishops are alike. I don’t presume to be a spiritual director, but if you receive the call to serve Christ in the religious life, please consider this online guide to Catholic Religious groups present in different states. http://www.religiousministries.com/index.asp
or better yet, ask your pastor for guidance.
@Angelina: Thank you. I can only respond about faith from my perspective. That is, my Catholic faith rests in Jesus Our Savior. Unkind bishops, priests, nuns or seminarians, very few, will not change my faith — maybe only my parish/diocesan affiliation on the extreme and my weekly donation at the onset.
@Paz: Thank you. Very good points made. WE rejoice in the GOOD NEWS that Fr. Abano was acquitted by the grand jury. Congratulations Fr. Abano! As for the accuser, Glenn Obrero, I can only opine that he should atone for his actions. Pope Benedict XVI said in his recent visit about the importance of the quality of priests in the U.S., not quantity. Good priests trumps many priests. At this point, I shudder to think that what this man did as a seminarian would carry on if or when he becomes a priest.
@dessie: Thank you. How true. Whatever recommendations the Chancellor or Canon Lawyers of the Metuchen Diocese might or might not have made, the buck stops with Bishop Bootkoski. Bring back justice to the table.
I pray that the Holy Spirit
- shine His light on Bishop Bootkoski to correct the injustice done to Fr. Abano
- heal the wound and shame endured by Fr. Abano, his mother and sisters and family
- comfort the parishioners and friends of Fr. Abano
- guide the conscience of Glenn Obrero into the right path.
I do not think that the bishop will apologize to the priest or the parishioners about his mistakes. I do not think that sending letters to Sambi or to Levada will get your priest back because the bishops will stick together on this just to save face and your priest will be hung out to dry.
What is the reputation of a mere Filipino priest compared to the reputation of a white bishop who is most probably a friend of Sambi and Levada who are also both white?
The norms and charter from the USCCB are all for show. There are no penalties to bishops who do not follow the norms or charter. The bishop did not follow the norms. So don’t pin your hopes that your priest will get back his faculties or reinstated in his parish. The bishop has no fear he will punished if he chooses to act with impunity as long as he has an excuse of reviewing the findings of the grand jury.
Abano was the Head Shepherd of an association of supposedly 40,000 Filipino charismatics in U.S.. and Canada. I don’t think they will side with Abano, if they want to make sure that their conventions will be approved and attended by the fraternity of bishops. They wouldn’t want to be blacklisted. There are many other priests, so just move on.
As of my links check at 12:15 p.m., 05/02/08, the Diocese of Metuchen has prevented PinoyWired.com from linking to the PDF file of their Code of Conduct directly. We’ve uploaded a link to one of the copies we downloaded during the course of our research/investigation. For a direct link to the Diocese’s file, copy and paste the following link to your browser:
diometuchen.org/cyp/docs/codeofconduct.pdf We’ve not had the opportunity to check whether the document has been changed from the version we downloaded.
ADDENDUM: The Diocese of Metuchen has a Policy in Response to Complaints of Sexual Abuse. You can view the file by copying and pasting the URL below in your browser (remember the diocese has disabled all links from this site to the diocesan site): diometuchen.org/cyp/docs/diopolicy1.pdf It looks like the bishop did not follow the policy with regards to Fr. Abano as well.
Btw, we have screenshots, print and file copies of all the links we referenced in this article, among others. So whatever changes they will make to the websites or reference materials, we can upload the files we have on hand.
@Peter: Thank you for the reality check.
Our Catholic Church has the history of the Inquisition during 13th century where bishops and archbishops were charged with suppression of heresy through trials and imprisonments, etc. Even St. Ignatius Loyola was charged by tribunals at least 3 times. Fortunately he was able to defend himself or else we won’t have the Society of Jesus.
Segue to the actions of the bishop which border on the extreme in terms of persecuting a priest who was given a “no bill” by the grand jury. Instead of rejoicing, the bishop has to “review the findings of the grand jury.” Fr. Abano and Glenn Obrero testified at the grand jury trial. The bishop cannot admit that he made a mistake or that he or the diocesan Review Board and/or legal team were probably conned.
Taking all the circumstantial evidence presented, which resulted with the grand jury issuing a “no bill” decision, meaning there is no case to answer, the actions of the Bishop and the hidden intent of not restoring Fr. Abano is now questionable.
Common sense dictates that the ‘no bill’ verdict of the Grand Jury showed that the case against the priest lacked the following: reasonable proof, probable cause, or prima facie evidence to convict, which resulted in its decision.
This is true, unless of course, what is being applied by the Bishop is not the rule of reason, but rather ‘common law’, better known as ‘inquisitorial justice’ – where the accused is condemned before being proven otherwise.
Thanks Pinoywired for shedding light in this very sensitive and controversial issue. Let the falsely accused be ‘made whole’, which is after all Fr. Abano’s LEGAL RIGHT. May Truth & Justice prevail
@Concerned: Thank you for taking on the legal angle.
Fr. Abano should have already been reinstated at St. Frances Cabrini after the grand jury verdict. The Metuchen Diocese in New Jersey is not above the laws of this nation.
The rights of Fr. Abano as an American Citizen and as a priest of good standing for 25 years in the Roman Catholic Church has been violated. It is ironic that in this Catholic and Apostolic Church, the priest/employee is snubbed by his bishop and left in limbo about his future. It’s like kicking a man who’s already down on his kness.
PinoyWired.com shall continue to monitor this situation and post any updates to this injustice. “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”
Justice delayed IS Justice Denied.
Sent to: epuleo@diometuchen.org, atizzano@diometuchen.org, rlyons@diometuchen.org, bishop@diometuchen.org, jlynch@diometuchen.org
Your Excellency, The Most Reverend Bishop Paul Gregory Bootkoski,
Greetings. I recently found out about the plight of Fr. Ed Abano and am distressed at what has been done to him. I write to you to do what is moral, just, and right.
He has been legally cleared of the unfounded accusations against him.
Your office, directly or indirectly, enabled this false accusation. Not only his name, but his family’s, the parish, and importantly, your Diocese has been maligned by this saga.
He has served his parish well and is well loved by the St. Francis Calabrini parishioners. Because of his persecution, his work and initiatives in the parish have suffered. This has impacted the parishioners, whom the Diocese is supposed to serve and guide.
It is within your power to correct this sorry state of affairs.
Please find it within you, through faith, prayer, reflection, servant leadership, and most importantly, HUMILITY, to do the right thing. Do it NOW please. This is your duty and your obligation.
Thank you and God Bless.
Gumagalang/Respectfully and In Christ,
Hecky Villanueva
Tucson, Az
******************************************
“In God We Trust, all others bring data” – W. Edwards Deming
You all have to remember that “by the Will of Christ, the supreme authority in a diocese does not belong to a college of priests or of bishops, but it resides in the single personality of the chief.” In other words, the diocesan bishop is king of his domain. Read more about a bishop’s powers and his obligations at http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02581b.htm
The bishop can use all his canonical powers to exert his will over your priest, have him suspended by the CDF, even exile the priest from the diocese whether you think it unjust or not. Nothing you say in this forum will change that.
The Pope “can determine and restrain their powers, but, not annihilate” the powers of the diocesan bishop. The bishops can demand and enforce obedience by all priests, deacons and religious within their diocese but they do not have to be totally obedient to the Pope as is evidenced by some bishops’ disregard of the academic mandatum from the Holy See. That is the reality of the Catholic Church in the U.S.
Maria Maria, I hope that your Catholic faith does rest in Jesus, because you’ll soon be witnessing the absolute power of a bishop over a priest.
@Hecky Villanueva: Thank you for sharing your message with us. I hope that your email will be answered in a positive light.
@Peter: Welcome back. Thank you for another reality check and for your concern.
I believe that the “Will of Christ” would never include the maltreatment of a priest who tried to keep Catholic education alive in Piscataway and who has been cleared of a sexual contact charge by a grand jury. As for what I think about “absolute power,” you know how the saying goes …
What happened to this case? Did the bishop do the right thing and reinstate Fr. Abano back to St. Frances Cabrini?
As of this morning, the bishop has not reinstated Fr. Abano as Pastor of St. Francis Cabrini Church.
We have learned that there are now more media plus Fil-Am organizations and coalitions who are aware of this situation and monitoring it. Be assured that we will update you whether it be good news or bad.
UPDATE: Fr. Ed Abano won’t be reinstated as pastor of St. Frances Cabrini Parish in New Jersey. Instead, he will be taking a one year sabbatical leave in the Philippines. Check out this mycentraljersey.com article.
Prior to his departure, Fr. Abano will be celebrating his farewell mass with the St. Frances Cabrini parishioners and friends on June 8th.
Fr. Abano’s sabbatical includes, among other ministries, study and work at the East Asian Pastoral Institute (EAPI), a world-renowned center of learning located within the Jesuit Ateneo de Manila University campus in Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines.
SO UNCARING AND UNKIND IS OUR BISHOP,HOW MANY OTHERS ARE VICTIMS OF HIS EMOTIONAL ABUSE? ALL TO SAVE HIS FACE.MAY GOD BLESS FR.ED ABANO,AND HIS FAMILY.
Thank you for your comment, Catherine. We’ll relay your prayers to Fr. Abano and his family.
You can read my comments below regarding the issue being accusedto Fr. Ed. I know father Ed that much and I don’t believe to this accusatuion. I know that person made statement against Fr. Ed. Im with Him in the Seminarybefore in Daet CamarinesNorte Philippines. I believe also that theirs someone behind Glenn Obrero, If am not mistaken this done by His friend Priest who do that thing worst to me why i decided toleave the seminary, i am willing to testify of what happen to me and what I experience to that priest in Labo, The Diocesof Daet and someof my professors knows this issue i left seminary because of what happen to their,which if you know waht happento me, you will be shocked! thats why The Dioces of Daet decided to Remove the priest from his position in the religious congregation. i am willing to give everything i know regarding this issue. if youwant you canemail me audielouiechok@yahoo.com or call or text me here is my number, im doing this because i believe that fr. Ed is innocent and that issue was done as a revenge tohiom by his Friend should i say an X friend.
Dear Fr. Edgar Abano,
My prayers, support, respect & love to you and your family, your MOM & DAD, to Susan & Ida.
Prosie Sunga
I pray always for Fr. Ed Abano, his family and for all of us who are truly behind him…It is just to bad that the Bishop is not one who is true to his word and why I am just wondering how come he is a Bishop in the first place? Who is the hypocrite? One who will pretend to pray and preach the word of God to the congregation when he will not support an innocent priest and back him against some one who did wrong to someone who is innocent…
I pray for Fr. Ed and family and friends, always that God will protect those who are innocent…
Dear Father Ed Abano-
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!
[edited by admin - re sexual orientations and assumptions]
my prayers for Fr. ed
i am willing to help Fr. Ed Abano I can testify that he is innocent, and i am willing to tell everything i know regarding the aliged crime to him by a seminarian from Camarines Norte i know this person ived been with him in the seminary before in Labo Daet Camarines Norte. I believce this person made his statement because somebody told hin to do that, Im audie Louie Banania III i am not afraid to tell the truth of whtat I know, with my statement Fr. Ed will be proved that he is innocent and the statementy of Glen Obrero is only a revenge to what happen to a priest who also being relieved by the Dioses of Daet. I am willing to give my statement after a long time I remain silent for the security of my family and reputation. please for those concern people i am appealing to help me contact fr. Ed because i dont have contact with him. for those concern please let me know you can call me, here is my number 09062004598 or email me. thanks and God Bless us all always
here is my number you can call or text me anytime 09062004598
Thank you Audie. We will relay this message to Fr. Abano. Whether he will take you up on this matter or not, is up to him. Let’s continue praying for Fr. Abano and his family as well as for the conversions to good of Bishop Bootkoski and Glenn Obrero.
Thank you sir/mam, can i ask for a favor? can i get fr. Ed number or email account so that i can send him directly my message for him? Im sending messages with hi account but i think it is not working anymore, because he is not replying my messages. maybe he lost it thats why he cannot read my messages for hiom. thank you, i hope i can get his contact number, is he ok? where he is right now? is he back to ther parish? did he say mass already?