Baptism of priests’ children causes stir

MANILA, Philippines - The baptism of children of two married Catholic priests in Lambunao, Iloilo Sunday drew mixed reactions on social media.

Days before the visit of Pope Francis to the country, Fr. Hector Canto and Fr. Jose Elmer Cajilig reiterated their call for optional celibacy among the clergy.

Wearing their liturgical vestments, Canto and Cajilig co-celebrated the baptismal rites with Fr. Jesus Siva, also a married priest.

“If the Church says go and multiply, how come the priests are forbidden to do so?” netizen Jabbar said on social media.

Andrea, another Facebook user, said they should not have embraced priesthood if they would not follow the mandatory celibacy among the clergy under the Canon law.

But for Siva, the centuries-old celibacy rule should end, as many children were suffering and growing up without fathers.

“Baptizing the children is giving them dignity. After all, they have done no wrong,” he said.

The baptismal was held at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel in Lambunao town attended by family members, friends and parishioners of the three priests.

Canto’s daughter was baptized as Gabriel Opcel for “optional celibacy.” He has three other children, with Opcel as part of their first names.

Siva, 54, has two sons. Cajilig, 53, has three children with his 27-year-old partner.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) gave the three Ilonggo priests legal authority to officiate weddings on July 14 last year.

They established the Compania de los Padres de Familia (Padres de Capilla) Inc. in Lambunao town four years ago.

The group has five members to date but only Canto, Siva and Cajilig are allowed to officiate weddings.