Catholic Church excommunicates fake priest


MANILA, Philippines - In an act rarely done, the Catholic Church excommunicated a former seminarian who disguised himself as a priest.

Xavier Eubra de Borja was excommunicated by the Catholic Church through a diocesan circular signed by Cubao Chancellor Fr. Frederick Edward C. Simon on June 2, 2010.

De Borja was sentenced under ferendae sententiae excommunication, or excommunication declared by an ecclesiastical court, which took effect on May 31, 2010 “for having disguised as a Roman Catholic priest,” a press release stated.

Identifying himself as Dom X, de Borja posed as a member of France-based Canons Regular of St. Augustine and claimed to be on vacation before returning “to his current assignment in Russia.”

He heard confessions and conducted retreats and recollections as a "guest priest" in the Christ The King Parish at Greenmeadows.

De Borja raised funds and claimed to have been tasked to put up a community for the Augustinian group in the Philippines. It was later found out that he was not assigned in the Mary Mother of God Mission Society in Vladivostok, a city located in southeastern Russia.

Once excommunicated, clergies are prohibited from receiving communion, officiating masses and holding ecclesiastical office.

The Catholic Church in the Philippines rarely bestows excommunication to an erring member. The most recent incident was Alejandre Galias of Sorsogon after he broke the seal of confession in 2007.

Contrary to popular belief, priests are not the only ones who can be excommunicated. In the past, famous leaders who were banned by the Catholic Church were Fidel Castro, Juan Peron, Martin Luther, and Queen Elizabeth I.

Warning

Further, the Diocese of Paranaque warned about Joseph Sorongon who claimed to be a Deacon from the Order of St. Benedict from the Monastery of the Transfiguration in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.

According to diocesan chancellor Fr. Benjamin D. Molina, Jr., Sorongon "is a fraud and impostor."

“The Chancery, after careful research and investigation, found out that Mr. Joseph Sorongon is not a deacon nor is he a member of the Order of St. Benedict, as confirmed by Fr. Savio Ma. Siccuan, OSB, Prior of the Monastery of the Transfiguration,” Fr. Molina wrote in in a circular released on Wednesday.

Molina cautioned Catholics against fraud priests and to ask for a certificate of ordination issued by their Chancery of their diocese and religious congregations to verify such claims.

There are no definite reports if criminal charges were filed against de Borja and Sorogon. - abs-cbnNEWS.com