Authorities and the Catholic Church in the Philippines will look into the possible involvement of a priest in the illegal trade of ivory after his collection of ivory religious icons was featured in National Geographic magazine.
Monsignor Cristobal Garcia is quoted in the October issue of the magazine as describing how to bring ivory figurines into the United States.
Monsignor Garcia is already the subject of sexual abuse allegations involving an altar boy in Los Angeles in the US during the 1980s which prompted the Vatican to suspend him this year pending the conclusion of an investigation.
Sixto Comia of the Philippine National Bureau of Investigation said authorities are investigating the origin of ivory icons. Garcia will also be questioned.
An international ban on trade in ivory and elephant tusks has been in effect since 1990. But poaching for the black market is rife and endangering elephant populations.
The Catholic Church in the Philippines said it regretted not doing more to stamp out illegal ivory used to produce religious symbols.
Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu said he has directed the Archdiocesan Commission on the Cultural Heritage of the Church to conduct an inventory of the collection.
“Let it be made clear that the Church supports the ban on ivory as it is consistent with her doctrine on stewardship of creation,” said Palma.
He said the church “does not condone ivory smuggling or other illegal activities, although in the past, ivory was one of the materials used in the adornment of liturgical worship.”
Garcia, who is based in Talisay city in Cebu province, is reportedly ill and in a hospital.
He was expelled from the Dominican order in 1986 after he allegedly sexually abused an altar boy in Los Angeles. He remains a priest but Palma said Garcia’s “past” case is being investigated by the Vatican.
Sources
- AP/SunStar
- UCA News
- CNN
- Image: National Geographic