MANILA, June 27, 2013— Catholics are warned against a group led by a man posing as priest with an image of the Our Lady of Peñafrancia and duping people by soliciting funds.
Officials of the Basilica Minore, where the Our Lady of Peñafrancia is enshrined in Naga City, said the man who identified himself as “Msgr. Jose Alarcon” is not connected with the Archdiocese of Caceres.
His name is not also listed in the 2013 Catholic Directory of the Philippines.
The warning was issued yesterday after a group led by the “impostor priest” is claiming that they need money for the upcoming feast of the Our Lady of Peñafrancia, called “Ina” by her devotees.
They group was last seen in Tuguegarao City last Tuesday.
“As fiesta approaches, there will be similar modus operandi. Please be warned against these fraudulent activities,” the Basilica Office said in a statement.
“All donations must be directed to the Basilica Office. We are not authorizing anybody to collect donations or Mass sponsors,” it added. (CBCPNews)
