Pope Francis prays the Regina Coeli on Sunday, May 24. VATICAN MEDIA
The Vatican Embassy in Manila warned Catholic bishops in the Philippines against certain persons and groups using the name of Pope Francis to mislead the public.
The Apostolic Nunciature particularly alerted the bishops against a certain Cristian Eduardo Tietze who is claiming to be close with the pope.
Tietze introduces himself as president of the “Peace for Life Foundation”.
In a circular dated May 22, the secretariat of the bishops’ conference relayed the warning to the dioceses and religious communities “about this questionable person”
Echoing the caution of the Vatican, it also encouraged the public to use “maximum prudence” in dealing with persons and groups who are using the name of the pope and other Curia officials.
Since the Philippines is high on the list of most-religious countries, it’s among those that have been targeted in scams to lure church members.
In recent weeks, reports surfaced of scammers targeting Catholics amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The church have asked the public not to send cash donations unless they make verification in their dioceses’s chancery office. (CBCPNews)