Ferdinand patinio and Shiela mae butlig
THE head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has panned the statement of presidential aspirant Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte cursing Pope Francis.
This came even as Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of the city’s 2nd District and and a councilor here frowned over Duterte’s cussing.
In a statement entitled, “Mayor Duterte?” posted on his Facebook account, CBCP president Socrates Villegas negated the response of Duterte’s supporters during the speech of the local government official on Monday.
“Is this the leadership by example that Mayor Duterte excites in us? Is this the leadership by example that makes a public official deserving of the title ‘Honorable’? I grieve for my country…!” reads part of Villegas’s post.
Villegas added: “When a revered and loved and admired man like Pope Francis is cursed by a political candidate and the audience laugh, I can only bow my head and grieve in great shame. My countrymen has gone to the dregs.”
On Monday, the PDP-Laban presidential candidate cursed the Holy Father due to the heavy traffic triggered by his visit in the country in January.
Duterte said in a speech: “Gusto kong tawagan: ‘Pope, (unprintable) ka, umuwi ka na. ’Wag ka nang magbisita dito.’”
Villegas said, “Vulgarity is corruption. When we find vulgarity funny, we have really become beastly and barbaric as a people.”
Rep. Rodriguez lashed out at Duterte’s pronouncement, calling it “uncalled for and reckless.”
“He should not say that,” according to Rodriguez, adding that the Pope is important to many Filipinos, and the traffic jams caused by his recent visit was a “sacrifice” of citizens in the predominantly Roman Catholic country.
Rodriguez said Duterte should refrain from making “reckless pronouncements like that,” adding that Roman Catholic Filipinos would “surely defend the Pope.”
“I do not agree with him. It is uncalled for, and he should refrain from issuing reckless statements,” he said.
Councilor Alexander Dacer said Duterte failed to consider that the country is predominantly Roman Catholic.
“Dili maayo nga mo komentaryo syag in adto. Dapat pa gani nya i-honor,” Dacer said. (ferdinand patinio and shiela mae butlig)
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