Salas: Father Richard Salas

Filipino priest with the Diocese of Sorsogon. Philippines.  Ordained 2002.  Arrived in the Newfoundland diocese around 2010 and serving in the Diocese of Grand Falls, Newfoundland (Canada).

June or July 2014:  Suspended by bishop and under investigation by RCMP.  The investigation relates to allegations of sexual assault.  Suspended around the same time and also under investigation is Father Lloyd Lugtu, also from the Philippines.

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Bishops of the Diocese of Grand Falls Newfoundland since Father Lugtus arrival: Martin William Currie (12 December 2000  – 01 March 2011 Resigned to become Archbishop of Saint John’s NL full time );  Robert Anthony Daniels (1 March 2011  – )

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13 August 2014:  BLOG The suspensions, denials and prolonged silence

10 August 2014:  BLOG Two filipino priests suspended in Newfoundland

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The following information is drawn from Canadian Catholic Church Directories (CCCD) which I have on hand and information online as identified

10 July 2014:  Fathers Richard Salas & Lloyd Lugtu shown as priests “active”  in Gander Diocese (this list was posted 10 July 2014.  I beleive this was after the two priests were suspended)

Shown in diocesan website as Administrator of St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Gander, Newfoundland (Father Richard Salas 10 July 2014 )  I believe Father Salas was already under investigation and had been suspended when this was posted on the diocesan website.

2014:  Administrator, St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Gander, Newfoundland (diocesan website)

– listed on Diocese of Sorsogon website as “On Pastoral Work Abroad.”  (Diocese of Sorsogon July 2014 extra pages )

10 July 2014 – 11 August 2014:  Fathers Lloyd Lugtu and Richard Salas listed as priests active in diocese Grand Falls  (my understanding is that both priests were suspended before 10 July 2014.

2013:  Administrator, St Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Gander, Newfoundland (CCCD)

–  head of the Gander Filipino Association (scroll down to media)

08 February 2012:  Father Salas guest speaker at Ecumenical Fellowship Breakfast, Bethel Pentecostal Church Hall, Gander – to speak about Christianity in the Phillipines

2012, 2011, 2010:  Pastor or administrator (?):  St Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Gander, Newfoundland, with mission in Glenwood, Newfoundland (CCCD)

 

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Gander priest under investigation

The Gander Beacon

05 August 2014

Father Richard Salas is still listed as Parish Administrator for St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Parish, Gander, but he is no longer ministering to the congregation.

RCMP Logo

The Bishop for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Falls, Most Rev. Robert Anthony Daniels, confirmed for tc• Media that Father Salas is under investigation by the RCMP in Gander.The Bishop declined to comment on the matter under investigation, directing the media to the RCMP for information.He did say, however, that Father Salas was withdrawn from public ministry several weeks ago.Sgt. Phil Matthews of the Gander RCMP said he is unable to fully discuss the matter at this time, but did confirm Father Salas has been under investigation following the RCMP receiving a complaint more than a month ago.The investigation is ongoing.                                      info@ganderbeacon.ca         

Twitter: @beaconnl

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Gander priest under investigation

The Western Star

05 August 2014

Father Richard Salas is still listed as Parish Administrator for St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Parish, Gander, but he is no longer ministering to the congregation.

The Bishop for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Falls, Most Rev. Robert Anthony Daniels, confirmed for tc• Media that Father Salas is under investigation by the RCMP in Gander.

The Bishop declined to comment on the matter under investigation, directing the media to the RCMP for information.He did say, however, that Father Salas was withdrawn from public ministry several weeks ago.Sgt. Phil Matthews of the Gander RCMP said he is unable to fully discuss the matter at this time, but did confirm Father Salas has been under investigation following the RCMP receiving a complaint more than a month ago.The investigation is ongoing.info@ganderbeacon.ca

Twitter: @beaconnl

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Gander priest under RCMP investigation, relieved of duties

CBC News

Posted: Aug 04, 2014 12:05 PM NT

Last Updated: Aug 04, 2014 12:08 PM NT

 A Roman Catholic priest in central Newfoundland has been relieved of his duties with the church and is under investigation by the RCMP.

Richard Salas, 44, originally from the Philippines, was the parish administrator at St. Joseph’s in Gander.

Church parishioners were told of his removal during weekend services.

The church did not elaborate on why Salas is being investigated by police.

It is believed Salas is currently vacationing in the Philippines.

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A Filipino Christmas in Newfoundland and Labrador

Away from home but still with family

The Prince Albert Daily Herald

Published on December 25, 2013

Brandon Anstey

Lorna Casapao dreamed of a white Christmas while living in the Philippines. Now after five years in Newfoundland and Labrador, the dream may have gone cold but her undying Christmas spirit hasn’t faded a bit.

© Brandon Anstey/The Beacon

JOLLY CHRISTMAS – Lorna Casapao appreciates the joys of the holiday season. Family, she said, is most important.

Ms. Casapao left the Philippines in 2009 to come to Newfoundland and Labrador in an attempt to provide better support for her family back home.  The white Christmas she had dreamed of turned into reality not long after touching down in Newfoundland.“We enjoyed the snow the first time we came here, but after three months we thought it was so cold,” laughed Ms. Casapao. “It’s been almost five years now and we’re not used to this kind of weather.”She noted the differences in Christmas traditions in Newfoundland and Labrador and the Philippines.“The most unique thing about the way Newfoundlanders (and Labradorians) celebrate Christmas is the way they treat us,” said Ms. Casapao. “We are far from our families and homes in the Philippines, but they treat us like we are no different than them.”Ms. Casapao is an employee of the McDonald’s Restaurant in Gander and said it was there she realized the value people in this province place on inclusion and family. The managers, she said, made her feel right at home.“They treated us like family, even though we’re not related or blood. They kept telling us blood is not what matters, as long as you have a heart-to-heart, you’re family.”The humble Ms. Casapao spoke of the different meal traditions of both her new and native home. Here, she said, the meals are usually turkey or Jigs dinner. In the Philippines, one of the main Christmas meals is Lechon. It is a national dish of the Philippines that features an entire pig roasted over charcoal. The meal is typically part of large festive celebrations.The traditions, she said, are very similar in both places. There is much emphasis placed on the religious aspect of Christmas, said Ms. Casapao.“For example, grandma and grandpa would come over and we grab their hands for a blessing, and they give each other gifts.”Filipinos also celebrate, Simbang Gabi. It’s a tradition that includes early morning masses from Dec. 16 up to Christmas Eve.“We always go to church and we complete the eight days,” she said.

Just like in Newfoundland and Labrador, singing is a big part of the Christmas celebrations in the Philippines, said Ms. Casapao.

“Kids go the houses of neighbours and start caroling,” she said. “We give them coins and candy and things like that. It’s the Christmas spirit the kids live for.”

Newfoundland parents and Filipino parents share another Christmas tradition, said Ms. Casapao.  Parents hang stockings for their children on Christmas Eve.

“They say if you have been a good boy or girl, Santa will bring you a gift,” she said.

While she hasn’t been home to the Philippines since leaving, she stays in close contact with her family through the Internet.

“We do communication through Skype because the long-distance calls cost a lot of money,” said Ms. Casapao.

Even though she won’t be home this Christmas, she will still be with family, she said.

“We are having a Filipino party this year through the Gander Filipino Association.”

The organization is headed by Reverend Richard Salas of the Catholic Church in Gander. The association hosts parties for newcomers and existing members on a regular basis.

Ms. Casapao said her favourite part of it all is the different parties that take place during the holiday season. It’s there she feels most connected and at home.

“We have found family here,” she said.

banstey@ganderbeacon.ca