Pampanga archdiocese to seek Among Ed's dispensation
October 17, 2012 · , Ding Cervantes, The Philippine Star
SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga , Philippines – Archbishop Paciano Aniceto will seek Pope Benedict XVI’s dispensation for Ed Panlilio, the Liberal Party’s gubernatorial candidate in Pampanga.
The dispensation will remove Panlilio’s priestly powers and exempt him from his vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
In an interview with The STAR, Fr. Larry Sarmiento, spokesperson for the San Fernando archdiocese, said Aniceto presided over a general assembly of priests in the archdiocese yesterday to discuss Panlilio’s case.
“Archbishop Aniceto himself will work out with the Vatican for the full dispensation of Among Ed who asked for such dispensation when he recently decided to run again for governor of Pampanga,” Sarmiento said.
Sarmiento said that Panlilio’s priestly powers have been suspended since 2007. A letter of dispensation from priesthood was prepared when he sought reelection in 2010 but it was not acted upon as Panlilio entertained hopes of returning to priesthood.
“Now that he has decided to venture anew into politics, the same letter has been revived and will be pursued by the archbishop for approval of the Pope,” he said.
“When such dispensation is granted by the Pope, Among Ed will not only be suspended of his priestly powers but also be stripped of them,” he said.
He said this means Panlilio would be allowed to marry, as was in the case of another Pampanga priest, who after being granted dispensation, was able to marry before he passed away.
