A priest from the Diocese of San Fernando of La Union is planning to join the Iglesia Ni Cristo.
In a statement dated June 20, the diocese said Fr. Romeo G. Lopez's has long been contemplating on joining the INC.
"We regret to inform you that for a long time already, he has been contemplating on joining the Iglesia Ni Cristo. This he expressed in his letter to the Bishop, Most Rev. Daniel O. Presto, dated June 12, 2022 which they discussed during their dialogue on June 13, 2022," said Fr. Nelson N. Quitaleg, the diocese's chancellor.
He said they are saddened by the news circulating already in social media regarding Lopez's much publicized intent to join INC.
Quitaleg said Lopez' "works and apostolate are beyond doubt, sincere, and commendable in all respects."
"Fr. Romy, as we fondly call him, is a priest of this Diocese who has been diligent in his works and apostolate in the different parishes he has been assigned to," he said.
"We are as of the moment communicating and doing our best to stop Fr. Romy from what he is doing since this has been causing confusion and scandal among the faithful," Quitaleg added.
"While we are doing and exhausting all efforts to do so, we appeal to all the lay faithful to pray for him, and refrain from fanning further the issue," he said.