Priest apologizes to teenage mom, spares self from suit

After getting a handwritten apology, a 17-year-old single mother is no longer inclined to pursue legal action against a priest who humiliated her with his sermon during her baby's baptism in Mandaue City last weekend.

 

But the single mom wants to take legal action against her partner - the 21-year-old father of her child - for support, GMA Cebu's Chona Carreon reported Wednesday.

 

Fr. Romeo Obach on Tuesday sent the teenage mom a handwritten letter apologizing for his sermon at her baby's baptism Sunday, where he humiliated her in front of her guests by raising questions about her morality.

 

The teenager received the handwritten apology on Wednesday morning. In the apology, Obach said he is ready to see her and personally ask for forgiveness.

 

Obach had issued a public apology earlier, after a video of his sermon went viral and triggered negative reactions from netizens.

 

The GMA Cebu report said the teenage mom felt somewhat better after getting the handwritten apology, and is waiting for when they can personally meet so Obach can apologize in person.

 

In the meantime, the teenage mom and her mother are no longer keen on filing charges against Obach, but are mulling legal action against the teen's partner, for "support" for the baby.

 

On Wednesday morning, representatives from the Commission on Human Rights in Central Visayas met with the teenage mom's family on how to pursue the young father for child support.

 

Meanwhile, a separate report by GMA Cebu's Vic Serna said the Cebu Archdiocese sees no need to investigate the incident.

 

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said he was confident the Redemptorist community to which Obach belongs was investigating the case and would act accordingly. —Joel Locsin/NB, GMA News