TACLOBAN CITY – The Roman Catholic Bishop of Borongan City in Eastern Samar defended the publication of a priest's dismissal from the clerical state by Pope Francis.

Bishop Crispin Varquez said Fr. Pio Aclon’s dismissal through an Informationis Causa is not libelous nor slanderous.

In his reply to the demand letter dated September 18 for the production of Aclon's Vatican case record, a cleric stripped off his exercise of priestly ministry in the Church due to alleged sexual abuse of children, Varquez, through his lawyer, explained that publication is a matter of Church discipline that may not be inquired into by the courts.

"Malice is not present because our client was echoing a factual report of the dismissal of Mr. Aclon from the clerical state," the lawyer said.

The lawyer added that the demand for the documents from the Holy See is private communication, which the discipline of the Church treats with confidentiality between the Holy See and the Ordinaries or bishops.

Aclon lamented that he had not received the decree nor was it attached to the publication of Varquez as the basis of the public announcement.

He argued that he has been deprived of being heard or making an appeal.

Aclon also wants to assert his right as a cleric to be informed at least of the facts of his dismissal as provided in the decree of dismissal from Pope Francis and the corresponding docket of the case against him.

Varquez cited a Vatican report stating that there were several attempts as early as February 2020 to serve the decree to Aclon which he allegedly refused to receive as he was hiding in Manila and nowhere to be found.

"Proof of notification was provided by means of a notarized document, which was signed by your client's sister, Ms. Leonora Aclon Parson, which under Canon law, is considered served to your client," he said.