Chile: They warn about a person who is presented as a Catholic priest in Chile

The Bishop of Valparaíso (Chile), Mons. Jorge Vega Velasco, alerted the community about a person who has long done religious trades in the diocese presenting himself as a Catholic priest, without guaranteeing the credentials that validate that ministry and charging money for it.

In a communication Extended on the website of the Episcopal Conference of Chile, the Prelate indicated that this person “has been carrying out various public offices with the participation of parishioners, without the authorizations required, in a personal oratory, located in the commune of Valparaíso.”

“After making the relevant inquiries, we can ensure that Mr. Hugo Pantoja Tapia is not a priest of the Catholic Church and therefore, he has no authorization to celebrate sacraments in the communities of our Diocese of Valparaíso,” he said.

The prelate deeply regretted this situation, and sympathized with “those who eventually have been affected spiritually, emotionally and economically by said person.”

At the same time, he thanked the people who alerted about this situation and urged communities to ask for official identification to ministers who do not know and present themselves for the celebration of sacraments.

“Finally, we invite the people of God who pilgrims in the Diocese of Valparaíso to participate in the sacraments in the parishes and chapels established by the Bishopric of Valparaíso, avoiding attending private spaces not endorsed for the celebration of sacraments in the diocese,” concluded the Bishop.