February 5, 2020
Memorial of Saint Agatha
Circular 2020-7
RE: Office for the Protection of Minors
My dear people of God:
The Holy Father in Vos Estis Lux Mundi said:
The crimes of sexual abuse offend Our Lord, cause physical, psychological and spiritual damage to the victims and harm the community of the faithful. In order that these phenomena, in all their forms, never happen again, a continuous and profound conversion of hearts is needed, attested by concrete and effective actions that involve everyone in the Church, so that personal sanctity and moral commitment can contribute to promoting the full credibility of the Gospel message and the effectiveness of the Church’s mission. This becomes possible only with the grace of the Holy Spirit poured into our hearts, as we must always keep in mind the words of Jesus: “Apart from me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5). Even if so much has already been accomplished, we must continue to learn from the bitter lessons of the past, looking with hope towards the future.
By virtue of my power and duty as Archbishop of Lingayen Dagupan, through this present instrument, now constitute the ARCHDIOCESAN OFFICE FOR THE PROTECTION OF MINORS. The members of the office herein appointed must insure that the spirit and letter of the Apostolic Letter Vos Estis Lux Mundi by the present Holy Father are fully implemented strictly, justly and diligently within this ecclesial jurisdiction.
The office will be composed of:
Father Rafael Cruz, Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Counselling
Father Kristoffer Allan Soriano, Licentiate in Canon Law
Father Christopher Joy Bataoil, Master of Legal Studies.
The office will be based in the Parish of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Mangaldan, Pangasinan.
All rights and privileges inherent to the office are hereby granted to the members of this archdiocesan entity.
The Catholic faithful are kindly requested to cooperate with us your pastors to prevent and combat these crimes that betray the trust of the faithful.
May Saint John the Evangelist, the Beloved Disciple help us in this task!
Sincerely yours,
+SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS
Archbishop of Lingayen Dagupan