MANILA, Philippines – The camp of incoming
president Rodrigo Duterte backtracked on Thursday, May 26, and said the Davao
City mayor is not against the Catholic Church even after calling it "the
most hypocritical institution."
In
an interview with reporters, incoming presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo
said: "He raises issues about certain, particular members of the Church.
But he is not against the Church."
"E
sinasabi niya na nga, naniniwala siya sa Diyos e," Panelo
added. (He even says he believes in God.)
On
perceptions that Duterte is against the Catholic Church, Panelo cited
"slanted" reporting by media.
"Siguro
iba lang ang intindi," he said. (Maybe they just have a
different interpretation.)
Panelo's
statement comes after Duterte on Sunday, May 22, slammed a "hypocritical"
Catholic Church for asking favors
from the government, among other things.
Statistics
show 8 out of 10 Filipinos belong to the Catholic Church, whose bishops remain
outspoken on issues such as family planning and divorce.
'Iglesia ni Duterte'
Duterte,
who had claimed he was molested by a Catholic priest, said he has
already abandoned the Catholic faith.
"Lipat
na lang kayo dito sa Iglesia ni Duterte," he said in a recent
news conference. (Just transfer to the Church of Duterte.)
The
Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines has not responded to Duterte's
tirades as of posting time.
In
any case, the president-elect's statements against the Catholic Church have
drawn flak from many Catholics.
In
a Thought Leaders piece for Rappler, San Beda law dean Fr Ranhilio Callangan
Aquino admitted that "the sinfulness of priests and bishops is not in
debate."
Aquino,
however, pointed out the work of the Catholic Church to help
survivors of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) and indigents, as well as to
educate Filipinos in Catholic schools.
Aquino
said: "The Church will never claim these to her credit. But it will be
well to remember those times we applauded the Church and her leaders whenever
we are inclined to dismiss her as irrelevant!" – Rappler.com
Post a Comment