CA clears exorcist priest of 'religious feelings' offense over Lipa devotion

The Court of Appeals has affirmed the dismissal of the criminal case against Dominican priest and exorcist Fr. Winston Cabading, who was accused of offending religious feelings over his comments on the 1948 Marian apparitions in Lipa City, Batangas.

- Ian Laqui/Philstar.com

In a 28-page ruling promulgated on Sept. 29, 2025, the appellate court’s 12th Division denied the petition for certiorari filed by retired Sandiganbayan Justice Harriet Demetriou, who sought to overturn the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) decision acquitting Cabading.

In May 2024, the Quezon City RTC Branch 224 granted Cabading’s motion to quash, ruling that the Facebook program where the alleged offending statements were made did not qualify as a “religious ceremony” as defined under the Revised Penal Code.