Following “Suicide” Homily, Filipino Priest in Michigan Faces Suspension
FILIPINO PRIEST – A Filipino priest in Michigan is faced with suspension following his “suicide” homily at a funeral of a teenager.
Before, there is a strong prohibition of holding mass at a funeral of those people who took their own lives. It is one way for the Church to discourage the people from doing it which is considered a mortal sin.
In the present, there were instances wherein masses were held as the believers are given equal funeral rights like others. It depends on the priest on whether he would agree to officiate a mass at the funeral.
Recently, one priest in Michigan agreed to officiate a mass at a funeral of a teenager who took his own life.
Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, Filipino priest Father Don Lacuesta officiated the mass at
According to the report, Jeffrey and Linda Hallibarger, the parents of the 18-year-old Maison Hallibarger who took his own life, requested for an ‘uplifting’ sermon at the funeral of their son.
The Pinoy priest reportedly called Maison a “sinner” and he talked about the morality of what the teenager did.
Based on the report, the parents of Maison called for the removal of Fr. Lacuesta citing that he might affect other families like what happened to them.
Reportedly, on Saturday, the Archdiocese of Detroit has released a statement that Fr. Don Lacuesta is faced with suspension from officiating masses at funerals.
On the part of the Pinoy priest, he released a statement telling the parishioners that he is working with the Archdiocese to make sure that he can work more effectively in the future.
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