Bishop issues warning about ‘unapproved’ missionaries

The Bishop of Down and Connor, Dr Noel Treanor, has warned Catholics in his diocese not to support two priests who have been banned from collecting money or celebrating Mass in the diocese.

The bishop’s warning about Fr Placido Rabello and Fr Prince Bellarmine, both of whom are foreign missionaries, was carried in several parish bulletins in the diocese.  Fr Rabello, who is Indian, is claimed to have asked parishioners for their Lenten collections and celebrated Mass in a private house without permission

Meanwhile, Fr Bellarmine is also reported to have been collecting money in Belfast.

A spokesperson for the diocese said that there are strict guidelines for visiting clergy to follow, which have so far been ignored by the two men.  “There are tight regulations on priests who are ministering in this diocese to ensure they act with the authority of the diocese,” Dr Treanor’s spokesperson explained.

“These priests are missionary priests and for any priests who come to a new diocese, there are strict guidelines from the Church to ensure they are in good standing with their own diocese.”

“In this case, the diocese would ask people not to give money to these two priests,” the spokesperson continued.  “They are not of the diocesan clergy and have not sought permission from the diocese of Down and Connor.”

by Fintan Deere