Filipino priest refutes viral post portraying the Pope to have extolled eating whatever people want during Lent

A priest from the Diocese of Albay took on a circulating post depicting Pope Francis encouraging the faithful to eat whatever they want during Lent. 

The post by SRM Australia three days ago that paints the Pope as having echoed such a message says:

"Eat whatever you want for Easter; the sacrifice is not in the stomach but in the heart. They refrain from eating meat but don't talk to their siblings or relatives, don't visit their parents, or bother them to attend to them. Don't share food with the needy, forbid children to see their father, forbid grandparents to see their grandchildren, criticize other people's lives, beat their wife, etc. A good barbeque or beef stew won't make you a bad person, just like a fish fillet won't turn you a saint. Better seek to have a deeper relationship with God through better treatment of others Let's be less arrogant and more humble at heart. Pope Francis." 

Fr. Joseph Salando, rector and pastor of the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Salvation in Tiwi, Albay, said the post was "not authentic and misattributed" to the Pope. 

"There's no record of this statement in the Vatican's official news sources, papal encyclicals, or addresses where his speeches are recorded," Salando shared. "I would appreciate it if you could lead me to the official, verified, legitimate news sources."

The message also contradicts the church's teachings, he noted. 

"While the quote emphasizes charity and kindness, some portions go against the teachings of the Catholic Church regarding Lent and Easter," he said. 

According to Salando, the church encourages fasting and abstinence during Lent and the Holy Week. 

"While abstaining and fasting from food may not be the core essence, it is traditionally highly encouraged and even obliged as an important spiritual discipline along with prayers and almsgiving," he explained. 

Salando knocked down the post, saying, "Catholics are obliged, depending on age and health condition, to fast and abstain on certain days, but not during Easter, as the quote seems to emphasize." 

Salando explained that false quotes could confuse people and bend the church's teachings. 

The priest advised people to stick to official websites and press releases from the church. He also recommended legitimate news outlets proven to tell the truth. 

Rappler, a news outlet based in the Philippines, has also refuted the SRM Australia post in an article on February 15.

The SRM Australia claims to be a Catholic charismatic group. It's post has earned 17,000 shares as of this writing. 

“It's essential to stay vigilant regarding the information we consume and share online,“ Salando said. - Oliver Samson