Priest irreversibly suspended after running for mayor in Cam Sur
By Marlon Callueng
“Such suspension is deemed irreversible, thus preventing him permanently from returning to the priestly ministry,” Camarines Sur Bishop Jose Rojas said Fr. Granwell Pitapit violated the Canon Law, which indicated priests may not be involved in politics.
Rojas wrote in a circular dated Oct. 22 showing Pitapit , a Catholic priest was permanently suspended from his clerical duties by Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) after he sought mayoralty post in a town in Camarines Sur for Eleksyon 2022.
CBCP News website stated under Canon Law 285, clerics are banned to assume public offices “which entailed participation in the exercise of civil power.”
With this suspension, Rojas said Pitapit would no longer be involved with the social action programs of the diocese.
The bishop said Pitapit was still mandated to follow his priestly vows such as celibacy.
“Such vows, therefore, continue to bind him and can only be completely suppressed through the process of laicization,” Rojas said.
“Nonetheless, Fr. Pitapit is now free, without incurring further canonical censure, to engage in secular undertakings that do not violate his priestly vows,” he added.
Next year’s election day is set on May 9, 2022.
ISKUP! 