Outspoken Catholic priest Rogelio Cruz has said he is not leaving. He said he recently received instructions from his superior Father Francisco Batista at the Salesian congregation to pack to go take a four-month course in updating his spirituality in Colombia, starting 19 February 2018.
In October 2017, he had been ordered to no longer preside the non-governmental organization named for him. He told the press he stepped down and is just involved as another volunteer. The organization was created in 2005 by volunteers to back his community-oriented initiatives.
The 59-year old priest has gone to the media to declare that the order for him to relocate to Colombia is being pushed by the mining companies Falcondo, Barrick Gold and GoldQuest. He said they have used their influence in the Catholic Church “to get him out of circulation.” Father Rogelio said they have pressured his superiors because of his community advocacy against exploitation of mines in Loma Miranda (Falcondo) and San Juan de la Maguana (GoldQuest). Both companies seek the community green light to be awarded the Ministry of Environment exploitation permits.
Father Rogelio says he is not afraid to be expelled from the church for helping the poor.
This is not the first time the charismatic priest is opposed by influential sectors. He became well known for his extraordinary community work when parishioner in the slum area of Cristo Rey where his outreach efforts on behalf of at-risk youth resulted in a significant reduction in crime.
On Sunday, 11 February, nevertheless, the Salesianos reported that Father Rogelio Cruz had been invited to the three-month course at the Casa Sacerdotal de la Ceja in Medellín, Colombia to renovate his priesthood vows. The religious order says that in September 2017 it was Father Cruz who wrote to his superior expressing his interest in participating in priesthood courses in Bogotá and even indicated the dates he would be interested in traveling.
The Salesianos clarified: “Father Rogelio Cruz has not been relocated from La Vega, nor the country, this is misinformation,” stated the religious congregation. Father Rogelio is the parishioner at the Parroquia Santo Domingo Savio in La Vega.
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Diario Libre
12 February 2018
