Demetriou’s dilemma: Accept Church teachings or pursue case against priest
The arrest of Fr. Winston Cabading, based on a complaint by Harriet Demetriou regarding his alleged offensive actions toward religious sentiments, has presented the complainant with a challenging situation.
Cabading, an experienced exorcist, has been criticized as a fervent opponent of devotion to Mary, specifically the Mediatrix of All Graces, based on an alleged apparition in Lipa, Batangas. However, it is important to note that a decree from the Congregation on the Doctrine of Faith definitively states that the events in Lipa were not of supernatural origin.As an expert in this field, Cabading is entitled to express his opinions on the matter. If the apparitions in Lipa were indeed not supernatural, it is only reasonable for a diligent priest to investigate further and research the phenomenon. Demonic forces can create deceptive phenomena such as visions, false ecstasies, simulated miracles, and other phenomena. Considering the history of fabricated supernatural occurrences throughout the centuries, including instances where the devil posed as the Blessed Virgin Mary, it is logical for a priest knowledgeable about the influence of evil forces to be cautious about such claims.
Accusing Cabading and other exorcists of malicious intent is akin to condemning a geologist for warning a community about potential earthquake-prone areas. The cautionary approach the Church takes does not seek to discourage devotion to Mary but guides it toward a proper expression. It is highly unlikely that a Dominican priest, whose religious order contributed the rosary to the Catholic Church’s legacy, would oppose the veneration of Mary herself.
Moreover, there is a legal aspect to consider: The law states that the alleged acts should have been performed in a place dedicated to religious activities or during the celebration of a religious ceremony. Demetriou insists that the conference where Cabading made his comments was a religious ceremony due to the inclusion of prayer and a Gospel reading. If this argument is accepted, then classes in Catholic schools, which typically begin and end with a prayer, would also qualify as religious ceremonies. Even an online show, where Cabading’s statements were merely displayed, has not escaped Demetriou’s critical scrutiny. However, there is no established Church teaching that categorizes radio shows or conferences as religious ceremonies.
Approved Marian apparitions, such as Guadalupe, Lourdes, and Fatima, faced initial skepticism from Church authorities. However, the seers did not file complaints against the clergy. Instead, they prayed, made sacrifices, and respected Church authorities. Saints like Catherine of Siena and Faustina Kowalska emphasized the importance of obedience to the Church. Despite the Vatican’s definitive statement, Demetriou and other devotees still insist on the truth of the Lipa apparitions.
It is important to note that the Church does not require the faithful to believe in these specific events. I see no issue with honoring Mary under her title of Mediatrix of All Graces, as long as it is done with prudence, independent of the events in Lipa. Although graces, favors, and miracles have been attributed to Our Lady in Lipa, they do not automatically prove the authenticity of the apparition. Mary, as the mediator of supernatural grace, can work with or without a supernatural event.
Ironically, Demetriou’s actions significantly diminish the likelihood of a reinvestigation into the Lipa apparitions. Why would the Vatican reconsider a case tainted by acts of disobedience, such as Archbishop Emeritus Ramon Arguelles defying Church orders in 2015 and the complainant’s current actions, which only bring scandal and division? And even if Demetriou wins the case, it will not vindicate the apparitions in Lipa, since only the magisterium can definitively state if a phenomenon is of supernatural origin.
Perhaps Marian devotees should strive to emulate two key virtues of Our Lady herself: humility and obedience. Demetriou’s dilemma lies in either accepting the teachings of the Church with humility and obedience or pursuing a case against a faithful son of Mary with pride.
CARMEL ARCANGEL
