Baguio diocese warns faithful against group seeking donations

THE Diocese of Baguio is warning the faithful against a group reportedly going around the City of Pines seeking financial assistance, saying the group is not affiliated with the Catholic Church.

In a social media post, the Baguio Diocese said it had learned of the presence of a “group of men in white robes (in white clergy cassocks)” moving around the city asking for donations.

“Lay Faithful are asking whether it is a Roman Catholic Group. No. The group is not affiliated to any Diocese or Religious Congregation or Institute of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines,” said the Baguio Diocese.

It said the group is reportedly asking for donations from individuals, business establishments, private firms, and government offices.

The Baguio Diocese attached in the social media post a purported letter of the group calling itself “Filipino Katoliko.”

The letter said the group is supposedly raising funds for the construction of their new church in Bigaan, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.

The group also said the funds to be raised will be used for the renovation of different church buildings in different areas of Mindanao.