CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – A local church leader here has warned priests and parishioners of a group calling itself as the Order of Apostolican Missionaries (OAM) whose members are going around the city soliciting money.
Archbishop Jose Cabantan, head of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, said his office got hold of a solicitation letter from OAM prompting him to notify the Roman Catholic faithful in his jurisdiction regarding the group’s activity.
“It has come to my attention recently that a group called Order of Apostolican Missionaries (OAM) alleged to have a Mission House in Malaybalay City and a Formation House in Cagayan de Oro is roaming around the city unscrupulously soliciting funds or donations for evangelization works and outreach programs of their ‘religious community,’” Cabantan said in his recent letter to the archdiocese’s parishes.
In an online interview late Friday, Feb. 18, the prelate said they are still investigating if there are parishioners who have already given donation to the group.
“We are not sure if people have donated, but it’s possible some have already did… until we get hold of their solicitation letter,” Cabantan said, adding that they have yet to report OAM to law enforcement authorities but have warned parishioners as precautionary measure.
He said individuals belonging to the group have been going around the city’s residential area knocking on doors and asking for money.
“It so happened that a parishioner was able to get a copy of the solicitation letter and gave it to a priest,” Cabantan said.
He said the archdiocese quickly informed the parishes once they were able to verify that OAM was not on the official list of religious congregations of the Roman Catholic church in the country.
“Upon verification with our Catholic Directory of the Philippines and the Chancery Office of Malaybalay, such group does not exist. It may have carried the name ‘catholic’ but it is not in any way connected with us,” Cabantan pointed out.
The archbishop said he has cautioned all the faithful “to please exercise extra vigilance against this bogus group. Please report similar incidents to our chancery office.”
OAM’s solicitation letter, which was posted on the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro Facebook, states that “Our community and whole congregation asking a favor from you to please give assistance to the mission which is evangelization.”
“Our outreach program provide evangelism through Gospel Concert which will be held in different cities and municipalities in Mindanao Region. We are also conducting seminars and sharing the divine word of God,” it said.
The group added, “We know where we are heading for; that we are leading a life geared to promote progress and peace among the components of the society. We are not just and organization of robust a deals (sic), but of substantial deeds and true action.”
The group even quoted a passage from the Bible, which says: “God is not unrighteous to forget our good works. (Heb. 6:10).”
For his part, Maj. Evan Viñas, city police spokesperson, said they have not yet received any complaints from residents regarding the group’s solicitation activities, but would welcome individuals to file a complaint at their nearest police station should they experienced being forced to give money or being deceived.
