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- President Rodrigo Duterte hits back at Catholic church.
- He said that they should not use religion to criticize the government.
President Rodrigo Duterte hit back at the Catholic church leaders after a religious personality alluded him in a recent homily.
He said that they should not be using the pulpit to criticize government leaders like him and that the he will never come to terms with the church until they stop doing so.
In a speech in Davao City, the President said, “Iyan ang problema kapag ginagamit ang religion para manira.
“Iyan ang problema kapag ginagamit ang relihiyon para plataporma na may aatakihin kang tao. That’s why there’s a separation of church and state. We will never come to terms. Mahirap ang gobyerno. Ang gobyerno walang diyos. Wala naman silang ginagawa.”
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He also recalled his experience on becoming a victim of sexual abuse in the hands of a priest.
Duterte’s statements came after Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle said in a Simbang Gabi at the Manila Cathedral that one should not use power to disrespect people.
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While Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that he agrees with Tagle, he also said that the chief executive is not a bully.
“I agree, but who does he refer to? Because those in power would also apply to those in the Church. If you use the pulpit to bully people, then it’s the same. If the message is in generic terms, then I agree.
“You cannot be using power to bully or to coerce people. The President is against that too.”
