MANILA (Vatican News): The Apostolic Nunciature in the Philippine capital Manila has alerted the country’s bishops against a certain Cristian Eduardo Tietze who is falsely claiming to be close to Pope Francis and Vatican officials. Tietze introduces himself as president of the “Peace for Life Foundation and claims to be “close to the Holy Father and to the Holy See”.
Monsignor Julien Kaboré, chargé d’affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature in Manila, has written to CBCP President, Archbishop Romulo Valles of Davao, warning dioceses and religious communities against Tietze.
The Vatican Secretariat of State “encourages all concerned to use maximum prudence in dealing with persons and groups when mention is made of the name of the pope and other curia officials”.
Several Philippine church leaders have warned the public in the past against a scheme that uses the name of bishops to solicit money from people and church institutions.
In recent weeks, reports surfaced of scammers targeting Catholics amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The Catholic Church of the Philippines has asked the faithful not to send cash donations without verifying with their diocesan chanceries.
For the original story: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2020-05/philippines-nunciature-warns-bishops-false-claim-pope-francis.html
