Now this is an attack on the priesthood!
The Catholic Church in Spain caught a man pretending to be a Catholic priest. He’s served, unordained, for the past 18 years.
Miguel Angel Ibarra first practiced as a fake priest in Columbia, then moved to the Diocese of Cádiz and Ceuta in Spain in October 2017.
The Church recognizes the baptisms and weddings he performed, but his confessions are not valid. His celebration of the Eucharist is also not valid.
According to a press release on Diocese of Cádiz and Ceuta’s website, Ibarra acted as a priest in several parishes in Columbia. On Dec. 13, however, he was dismissed from his pastoral duties.
The press release added, “The Colombian Archdiocese warned, on December 13, the diocese of Cádiz and Ceuta that, after a false allegation in their ordination documents, a thorough investigation had been carried out that concluded that Miguel Ángel Ibarra had never been ordained priest.”
Here’s a photo that’s surfaced of the fake priest:
They explained that they are “already working on the corresponding investigation and repairing the consequences that this person’s actions may have entailed.”
“The diocese of Cádiz and Ceuta regrets that, events like this, may overshadow the work of their priests and priests duly ordained, who serve the diocesan Church, every day, in an exemplary manner.”
Let us pray for all those affected by this incident!
St. John Vianney, patron of priests, pray for us!
[See also: If a Man Wouldn’t Make a Good Husband & Dad, He Won’t Be a Good Priest Either]
[See also: Why Does This Priest Smell So Good? It’s Not His Cologne, He Explains in Hilarious Story]