Last Friday May 26, 2023- I have read this new on my Facebook News Feed as I also follow the Archdiocese of Manila Office of Exorcism to be updated on the policies of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines, as last year I was informed that the Office of Exorcism have declared Spiritual Warfare against demonic act that includes the practice of Tawas. Though I was shocked to the news about Fr. Winston Cabading which is a Dominican priest that he was put into jail due to the violation of Article 133 of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines.

Article 133 states that:

The case was filled against Fr. Cabading by former Election Chief, Harriet Demetriuo who is a Devotee of Our Lady Mary Mediatrix of all Grace in Lipa, Batanggas. It has been said that on November 12, 1948- The Lady Mary Mediatrix of All Grace had made her apparition to a Carmelite Monastery in Lipa, Batanggas to a certain Teresita Castillo who is a Carmelite Postulant.

According to Castillo, that around 5:00 p.m. on September 12, 1948, the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary, she saw a vine in the garden shake though there was no wind at all. A woman’s voice told her to kiss the ground and return for fifteen consecutive days.

The next day, September 13, Monday, again at five in the afternoon, Castillo returned to the place, knelt down and intended to say the Hail Mary. She had only reached the phrase “full of grace” when again the vine moved. A beautiful lady appeared, a golden Rosary hanging on her right hand. The lady’s dress was simple and pure white, held at the waist by a narrow cloth belt. Her feet were bare and resting on clouds about two feet above the ground. On September 14, Tuesday, the first shower of rose petals took place. Some nuns found fresh rose-petals of exceptional sweetness, strewn around their rooms or outside their doors. Meantime, Mother Prioress Mary Cecilia of Jesus decided to consult Alfredo Obviar, auxiliary bishop of Lipa and spiritual director of Carmel. The bishop instructed her to tell Castillo to ask from the Blessed Virgin some proof that the apparition was from heaven. Days, after the first shower of petals, total blindness afflicted the postulant. The prioress heard a voice telling her that the only way Castillo’s blindness would be healed was for her to kiss the eyes of the postulant. So, one day in the presence of Obviar, the prioress lifted the veil of Castillo and imparted a kiss on her eyes. Instantly, Castillo’s blindness was cured. Obviar doubted no more that the apparitions were heavenly.

In her last apparition to Castillo, the Blessed Virgin identified herself: “I am the Mediatrix of All Grace. From this apparition, many conversions and healing occurred, and Demetriuo was one of many that became a devotee to the Mediatrix of Grace.

It is said that Demetriou filed a case against Cabading for being a “rabid critic of Our Lady, Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace,” a Marian title associated with a reported 1948 apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary before a Carmelite postulant in Lipa, Batangas.

Though this is a Trouble within a Catholic Church and it does not concern our Faith as members of Luntiang Aghama but the case is Relevant to us that we spend time in giving our Commentary on this Case.

As far as I understand, the former Election Chief Harriet Demetriuo is a member of the Roman Catholic Church which is a Religious Organization that has By Laws and Constitution such as rules and regulations in terms of Practicing their Faith. And Fr. Winston Cabading, OP is one of the officers of the Church that implements the Church Laws to its Members.

In the Philippine Constitution, in Article 3 Section 5, it states that:

No law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed. No religious test shall be required for the exercise of civil or political rights.

Philippine Constitution of 1987

But the Revised Penal Code of 1930 still have law concerning Religion. Though the provision in this code about crimes against religion intended to protect religion from any crime committed by public official or employee to a certain religious organization, this 2 specific article which is article 132 and 133 must be invoked in accordance to the constitution.

In this case, a member of the catholic church sue its leader because the leader have offended their religious feelings towards their faith. So this article is infringing the Constitutional Rights of the Catholic Church in implementing their rules and regulation concerning the practice of their Faith. Let us all understand, that when you join a Certain Organization, you are not joining your self to have their names attached to you but also you have to embrace the rules and regulations of their organization. And before joining, it should be clear to you the rules and regulations of their organization before making any commitment and dedication to their Religion.

So in this case, it is about the Doctrinal Teachings of the Catholic Church and the priest who are the officers of the Church are just implementer of the law of the Church, it does concern the welfare of the members of the Catholic Church. So, I pray True Justice may be serve to all religious workers like Fr. Cabading.