PALMA’S CALL: ‘Don’t judge cult leader’

IN keeping with the Lenten spirit of mercy, Cebu  Archbishop Jose Palma yesterday urged the public not to condemn or judge suspected cult leader Casiano “Tatay Loloy” Apduhan and his followers, saying they too want to be close to God.

Palma said the group may  have been misguided in an attempt to find the Lord. “In the human heart is a desire to be close to God but there  are others who have been misguided.

In a sense, as Pope Francis said, we should look at everyone with care and concern,” he said in an interview after he presided over the pontifical Mass for the  feast of St. Pedro Calungsod yesterday. “We should pity people who misinterpreted the faith and those who were misguided. Let us help them instead.”

Palma said some  priests in the Archdiocese of Cebu  are assigned to study claims of miracles as well as cults. He mentioned the name of  Msgr. Rey Penagunda. “It’s their duty to check circumstances like these,” he said.

Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested Apduhan at his residence in barangay Buanoy in Balamban town, west Cebu last March 26. The NBI and the  Provincial Women’s Commission acted on a mother’s complaint that herdaughter was being held captive there for the more than five years.

NBI agents raided the mansion and found the boyd of a 14-year-old boy buried in a tunnel, and rescued  33-year-old Emma Bocabo. Charges of murder, serious illegal detention, illegal possession of firearms, human trafficking and child abuse were filed against Apduhan.

He denied the allegations, saying the woman voluntarily went to him and joined his household to escape an abusive husband. Apduhan’s followers revere him as “Dios Amahan” (God Almighty) and believe he heals the sick and can bring the dead back to life. Apduhan remains detained at the NBI-7 stockade.