Dancing priest’s videos, photos shock netizens
STA. RITA, Pampanga – Videos and photos showing a priest dancing with half-naked men during masses here have been going viral on social media.
Fr. Eduardo de Leon of Barangay Dila-dila was seen in one video dancing with men, whose bodies were painted in blue, during one of the nineday dawn mass.
Another video showed De Leon taking off his habit, leaving him in black sleeveless shirt and pants. He danced with a group of men toward a ladder at the church’s entrance.
The footage further showed him with what seemed to be a red ribbon on his head as he danced back to the altar.
Two men in barong carried the ladder to the altar. De Leon climbed up the ladder as he swayed to the music and descended to end the performance.
Parishioners said the dance numbers were put in place of the traditional homily.
The STAR went to the Virgen de los Remedios church to get De Leon’s side. But the priest was not around and no one from among the parish staff seemed to know where he was.
Minda de la Cruz, who was in charge of the parish kitchen, said De Leon was abroad. She could not say when he left the country.
A member of the Knights of the Altar said De Leon did not report to the parish after the videos and photos were uploaded on Facebook.
De Leon’s secretary Katherine de la Cruz also could not say where he was.
Asked about the photos and videos, De la Cruz said, “Only the person behind them can explain, but he is not around.”
The photos and videos, uploaded on the The Pinoy Catholic New Facebook page, drew both criticism and support.
A netizen said the church was invaded by satanists. Another poked fun at the blue-painted men, saying they were “avatars,” referring to the characters of a Hollywood movie of the same title.
Some urged the people not to judge the priest.