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Pinoy priest suspended over suicide sermon at teen's funeral

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ABS-CBN North America News Bureau

<figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_pyhnou-2YY?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>A Filipino priest in Michigan has been suspended from presiding over funerals after his homily on suicide caught national attention.</p><p>Father Don Lacuesta of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Temperance, Michigan handled the service of 18-year old Maison Hullibarger who took his own life last December 4.</p><p>Maison&#x27;s parents, Jeffrey and Linda Hallibarger, specifically requested for an uplifting homily but instead the Filipino priest called their son a sinner and sermonized on the morality of suicide.</p><p>The Hallibargers called for the removal of the priest. They said they were worried that Lacuesta could hurt other families in the same way.</p><p>On Saturday, the Archdiocese of Detroit said it has since suspended Lacuesta from presiding over funerals.</p><p>Reports said that Lacuesta sent a message to parishioners saying, &quot;I&#x27;m working with the Archdiocese to ensure that I can more [work] effectively in the future.&quot;</p><p>Read more on<a href="https://balitangamerica.tv"> Balitang America</a>:</p>

<p>The Filipino priest called the deceased a sinner and sermonized on the morality of suicide.</p>

The Filipino priest called the deceased a sinner and sermonized on the morality of suicide.