THE DEMON tormentor is now Santo Domingo’s rector.
The former UST secretary general who faced legal charges over his statements on the alleged Marian apparition in Lipa has assumed as rector and prior of the convent of the Santo Domingo Church.
Fr. Winston Cabading, O.P., an exorcist who specializes in dogma and history, was installed as the 131st prior of the Santo Domingo Church on Saturday, March 8.
Cabading succeeded Fr. Roger Quirao, O.P. who served the Dominican convent for eight years.
In his installation address, Cabading said his leadership would be anchored in companionship by “journeying” with fellow friars rather than ahead of them. He also highlighted the importance of embodying the Dominican mission by making it a way of life to “preach the truth in love.”
The UST Angelicum College extended its congratulations and prayers to the newly-elected rector and prior and expressed confidence in the priest’s designation.
“As you embrace this new mission, may the Blessed Mother guide and strengthen you in your leadership, inspiring faith and devotion among the faithful. Our prayers and best wishes are with you in this sacred calling,” the college said in a Facebook post.
Before pursuing religious studies, Cabading obtained his Zoology degree from UST in 1986. He later completed a Philosophy degree at the Philippine Dominican Center for Institutional Studies in 1991 and a Theology degree in UST in 1993.
Cabading also earned a licentiate in Sacred Theology at the Instituto di Teologia Ecumenico-Patristica Greco-Bizantina San Nicola in 2000. He is pursuing a doctorate in Sacred Theology at the Sheptytsky Institute of Eastern Christian Studies in Canada.
Cabading has held several administrative positions in the University, including chair of the dogma section of the UST Faculty of Sacred of Theology, vice rector for religious affairs and secretary general.
He served as a member of the Faculty of Sacred of Theology’s Commission on Affiliation and the Commission on Liturgy and Prayer of the Dominican Province of the Philippines.
Beyond religious endeavors, Cabading has contributed to institutional development as former director of Santo Tomas e-Service Providers or STePS and regent of the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery.
In 2023, Cabading was charged for allegedly “offending religious feelings” in relation to his remarks against the alleged apparition of the Virgin Mary in Lipa, Batangas. The case was filed by Harriet Demetriou, a retired Commission on Elections chairperson, who accused him of mocking Mary Mediatrix of All Grace, the Marian title linked to the supposed Lipa visions.
READ: Court junks offending religious feelings case against former UST SecGen
The Quezon City Regional Trial Court dismissed the case in May 2024 because of insufficient evidence. According to the court, Cabading’s statement did not meet the legal criteria for violating Article 133 of the Revised Penal Code, which punishes those who perform acts that offend the feelings of the faithful in a place devoted to religious worship or during the celebration of any religious ceremony.
