A New York-based Filipino priest named in a $25-million lawsuit filed by an alleged female lover in 2008 took his own life in April during a visit to the Philippines, reports ucanews.
Fr Elvis Elano (pictures with Judith Rodrigues-Lytwyn) reportedly found it too much to bear after his family and community “shunned” and “despised” him over an alleged seven-month sexual liaison with a woman that resulted in the filing of a $25 million suit against him and his Queens parish.
In a suicide note dated April 11 and addressed to his sister, Elano, reportedly sought the forgiveness of the people he offended before hanging himself in his native Tabaco City in the province of Albay.
He reportedly flew to the Philippines in October 2011 to visit his ailing mother.
Elano’s attorneys, Del Carmen and Mangal, said they did not believe the priest was liable for any damage sought by Judith Rodrigues-Lytwyn when she filed the suit before the Brooklyn Supreme Court.
“There was nothing illegal that was alleged and that was our position,” the lawyer said.
Rodrigues-Lytwyn claims Elano encouraged her to have sex with him as a way of “overcoming her pain associated with her husband.”
The suit says the “vulnerable” complainant was in the confessional in March 2008, revealing she was divorcing her allegedly abusive husband, when the priest began professing “his love, devotion and physical attraction” to her.
“I was going through a very rough period in my life and I was looking for some spiritual guidance, and finding some peace from a religious perspective,” Rodrigues-Lytwyn said. “And he essentially took advantage of that. I was overwhelmed by his advances. Once I got my head on straight, I realized that he preyed upon me.”
Wnews first broke of the scandal Elano’s family and friends shunned” him, and his attempts as asking their forgiveness were to no avail.
Elano’s suicide note was filled with remorse and sorrow.
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