[REFLECTIONS] I am Catholic. Can I pray for Brother Eli Soriano?

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.” (John 14:1-3)

A Jesuit priest asked me this question last Friday, February 12: “Kevin, can we pray for Brother Eli?” I instantly replied with a brief smile: “Yes, Father.” But can I really pray for him?

Last Friday marked not only Chinese New Year, but also the sudden death of the televangelist and “Dating Daan” founder, Brother Eli Soriano. Brother Eli was known for his tenacity in engaging debates with other Christian denominations and never shied away from ridiculing and uttering invectives toward a variety of things and people in his Bible expositions. I found his exegesis and hermeneutics of Sacred Scriptures erroneous and very dangerous. To be honest, many of his arguments about Scriptures and theology were fallacious arguments. He once explained that God has buttocks and a body, but no knees!

Despite my reservations and dislike for him, I was touched browsing social media posts about his surprising death abroad. I saw Catholics expressing their deepest sympathies for the late televangelist. Lots of people paid tribute to him, especially his followers. Of course, inevitably, others rejoiced with the death of a “heretic” and “fool.” There was a flurry of reactions, but the overriding reaction was sympathy for a human person who died. I realized that we share one humanity. Hearing the news of his surprising death, did not give me joy. At first, I felt neutral. But death is still death. It evokes sadness and loss even to people whom I hate that dies. 

Salvation is for everybody. I have no monopoly on God’s salvific mercy. Before, I was too exclusivist. But my perspectives changed when I started reading Sacred Scriptures and theology. Encountering people with different beliefs also taught me the virtue of inclusivity. Will I say to my Iglesia ni Cristo and Protestant friends that they are going to hell? Will I say to my Lola’s very caring and loving Adventist friend that she’s condemned by God for her beliefs? Who am I to judge? 

My favorite theologian Father Edward Schillebeeckx, OP, wrote that no particular religion is absolute, for God is the only absolute. God saves, neither religion nor the Church. These are just means. At the end of my life, God won’t ask me about my theological knowledge or to what Church do I belong, but about what have I done to the little ones, to people who came in my life. Did I become Christ-like? Did I show compassion to humanity? Did I become faithful to my God-given mission?

Yes, I can pray for Brother Eli. I’m not saying that he is saved nor damned. Dare I hope. Only God knows what will happen in the afterlife to him and others who already died. What I’m certain of is that God’s mercy and love revealed in Jesus Christ is shocking, surprising, and prodigal! 

My prayer is an expression of hope and trust in Jesus’ words: “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.” (John 14:2) – Rappler.com

Kevin Stephon R. Centeno is seminarian who recently graduated AB Philosophy at Saint Augustine Seminary, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro.