Redemptorist priest Romeo Obach was emotional when he personally apologized to the woman who posted online the video of his tirade against her 17-year-old unwed daughter.
The two met and embraced in a private dialog at the Redemptorist seminary in Cebu City on Tuesday.
The 59-year-old priest held her tightly for several minutes and sobbed while asking for forgiveness, she said.
She said she felt his sincerity.
The encounter took place at about the same time the religious order released a public written apology of Fr. Obach.
The grandmother told Cebu Daily News the family has dropped the idea of filing a case against him, saying both sides have “learned their lessons”.
“Father, maka pasaylo ko. Wala man ko maglagot pero nasakitan ko og naulaw lang ko. Makapasaylo ko kay wala ko mag huna huna og balos. Isip Kristyanos kay mitoo ko og Ginoo. Ang Ginoo na ang bahala,” the mother said she told the priest.
(Father, I can forgive. I don’t hate you but I was hurt and shamed by what you did. I have forgiven you. I was not thinking of getting even. As a Christian I believe in God. God will take care of everything.)
When she got home, another priest handed her Fr. Obach’s public letter of apology.
This morning, a handwritten letter from the priest was delivered by a family friend.
It was addressed this time to the 17-year-old mother, whose baby he baptized last Sunday.
“Allow me to express my deep regret for the painful action I’ve done to all of you and those who witnessed it. I had no intention of saying that in front of all of you. I deeply regret this and I beg you to forgive me for what I did last July 6, 2014 in the chapel of the Sacred Heart,” the priest wrote in Cebuano.
Obach said he was ready to meet her at a time and place of her choice so he could apologize in person.
Related Stories:
Priest gives hand-written letter of apology to 17-yo mother
Priest apologizes for ‘cruel’ words to unwed mother; 17-year-old mom wants to hear it in person
Priest scolds unwed teen mother; draws online rage