A priest of the Order of the Discalced Augustinians (OAD), Rev. Fr. Libby Daños, has been temporarily suspended from public ministry and is now undergoing a canonical investigation after he officiated in the blessing of a Masonic marker—an act that has stirred controversy within the Catholic community.
The incident occurred on August 6, when Fr. Daños led the blessing of a Masonic marker erected by the Ormoc Masonic Lodge No. 234 in Barangay San Pablo, Ormoc City.
The marker was installed as part of the lodge’s 46th Charter Anniversary and was described in social media as “a beacon—a quiet, steadfast reminder of our presence, our purpose and our promise”
Following the government's distribution of photographs and videos of the event, the provincial council of the OAD’s Province of St. Nicholas of Tolentino issued a statement on September 1, announcing Fr. Daños’s temporary removal from his pastoral duties pending a canonical inquiry.
The Order reaffirmed that the Catholic Church has, for centuries, maintained that Freemasonry is fundamentally incompatible with Catholic doctrine.
In alignment with this stance, the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) reiterated in November 2023, with Pope Francis’s approval, that Catholics are strictly forbidden from joining Masonic associations, as their principles are “irreconcilable with the doctrine of the Church”.
Fr. Daños, recognized for nearly 30 years of service and regarded as a pioneer of the OAD’s mission in Asia, stated that he did not fully understand the significance of the ceremony when he agreed to participate.
He has expressed “deep remorse” for his action and is reportedly cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
A local priest, speaking anonymously, called the blessing a “lapse of good pastoral judgment,” adding that a marker dedicated to an institution canonically banned by the Church does not warrant liturgical blessings.
Conversely, a classmate and former priest, Benky Lambonao, defended Fr. Daños, describing him as a “kind person capable of change”.
The OAD emphasized that regardless of intent, the priest’s action “contradicts the clear and consistent teaching of the Catholic Church regarding Freemasonry” and has “caused scandal” among the faithful.
As the canonical process unfolds, the incident serves as a reminder of the careful pastoral discernment expected of clergy — particularly when engaging in public rituals that may conflict with Church teachings.
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