Following his controversial remarks about God and the Catholic Church, President Duterte has formed a three-man committee that would engage the Catholic Church and other Christian groups in dialogue. Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the theme will be “how to lessen the rift between the government and the Church.”
Roque said the President realized he needed to mend bridges with the Catholic Church, and to open the dialogue because there is only one society served by both the government and the church. Unfortunately, the night when the President decided to form the group to talk to Church leaders was the same night he continued his rant against God, this time questioning the Last Supper.
Duterte inflamed tensions last week after he called God “stupid” in a speech in Davao. Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas rebuked Duterte but called for prayers for him. The archbishop said Duterte must have received so much rejection, and hurts in the past that he blurts out so much hatred and angst now. “If he had been loved much, he would be giving so much of that love, too. He could be a victim of his scarred past and his wounded background. Pray for him with compassion.”
Sen. Panfilo Lacson, a Catholic, also issued a statement that singled out the President, who now faces widespread condemnation. “Between him and my God to whom I pray every single day and with whom I’ve found solace and comfort in all my difficult times, I don’t even have to think of my choice. May my God forgive him and make him atone for all his sins,” the senator said, noting he had taken Duterte’s side in many conflicts with his political adversaries “because I believed he was different from all the presidents who led before him. At times, I thought he was God’s gift to a benighted land, hoping the elusive change for the better has finally come to our country under his leadership.”
The Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches joined in the denunciation, saying it is “completely inappropriate for our nation’s President to derisively curse at the God of the Christian faith who is deeply worshipped by a majority of Filipinos.”
Bro. Eddie Villanueva, founder of Jesus is Lord, said insulting God is the highest order of blasphemy as stated in the Bible. He said Duterte should recant his statement and apologize or risk punishment by the Creator. “The Bible is clear, when you slander God, you are inviting curses not only to yourself but to the entire nation,” he said.
In a situation where even the most ardent Duterte supporters can’t invent an expedient defense for the President, some netizens still show they care: “We love you Mr. President, that’s why we need to correct you. We highly respect your leadership, your boldness to stop illegal drugs and corruption, but without God you can do nothing. Please don’t disappoint us because we are behind you in prayers. God is the giver of life. We love and respect God alone. Pero kung ’yung god na tinutukoy n’yo stupid talaga, hindi si God the Father ’yan. God bless you!”
Mr. President, the God of the Bible is one of mercy, forgiveness and love. However, if people willfully choose to commit blasphemy against Him, He will honor their choice.