Priest transferred after death of altar boy

An alleged homosexual priest has been transferred to serve in a nunnery following the mysterious death of his 15-year-old altar assistant last December, a church official admitted yesterday.

Wilfredo Andrey, chancellor and spokesperson for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gumaca in Quezon province, said Candido Umali, has been removed from the parish in Quezon's San Vicente town and was assigned as the chaplain of the Missionary Catechists of St Therese (MCST), also in the same province in Tayabas town.

Bishop Emilio Marquez, apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Gumaca, early this year relocated the controversial Monsignor to avoid speculations that they are meddling with the investigation of the local police in to the altar boy's mysterious death.

"Monsignor Umali even expressed to the bishop his intention to retire. But when the MCST Sisters asked the bishop for a chaplain, in particular Umali, the bishop assigned him to them," said Andrey.

Andrey said the diocese conducted its own investigation and found no reason to place any sanctions against Umali.

"This holds true for the rumours about his sexual preference – they remain stories and no formal complaints or case were brought against him."

Earlier news reports disclosed that Umali, together with the cook Ireneo de Jesus, were the last people seen leaving the quarters of 15-year-old altar boy Salvador de la Fuente.

Another altar boy Alvin Deguito, 16, attested that Umali has also approached him and reportedly accused the Monsignor of asking sexual favours from him.

Initial police findings said de la Fuente died in his sleep, but his family contested the conclusions saying that the boy suffered contusions in the head and body.