UNSOLICITED ADVICE FOR DUTERTE

THOUGH the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has yet to issue a statement at presstime on the recent critical statements of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte, the outspoken Archbishop of Nueva Segovia took the cudgels, defended the Church and gave his own unsolicited advice.

“It is hurting and we are taking things cautiously,” said Nueva Segovia Archbishop Marlo Peralta when interviewed by newsmen Tuesday after the Episcopal Ordination of Most Rev. Enrique Macaraeg as new Bishop of Tarlac at the Saint John Metropolitan Cathedral in Dagupan.

He added that despite this, “we will go beyond our personal hurts and continue the role that was given us by the Holy Father” said Peralta, once Bishop of the Alaminos diocese in Pangasinan before he became archbishop of Nueva Segovia in Ilocos Sur.

On Mr. Duterte’s statement that the Catholic Church is a “hypocritical institution,” Peralta said “that is his (Duterte’s) opinion against the Church.”

“But we think it’s not fair for him to say that and the people know it better,”  said Peralta.

“We were very surprised. He attacks the Catholic Church often. But of course, hanggang dyan lang. And we are hoping that the people will see through this thing,” he said.

Despite this, he said, the Church will continue doing what is supposed to do, to fulfill its mission given us by Pope Francis, whether the President likes it or not.

“We are not here to pick a fight with the new President. But having said that, we should continue to do what the Church has tasked us to do,” he added.

Peralta believes that what made the newly elected President unhappy with the Catholic Church is that possibly he has some issues with the Church.

“Maybe, there are some issues made by the Catholic Church that the new President is not happy about,” he said, while admitting that the Church also has its own faults.

However, he expressed hope that as time goes by, the relationship between the Church and President-elect Duterte will be healed or improved.

Peralta emphasized that the Church cannot also abandon its role to guide and correct, especially in guiding the people.

Asked if the Church is open to correct its alleged proven faults, the archbishop said: “Of course, we are open to corrections if there is really a need and actually they are now doing this in different dioceses”.

When asked for his unsolicited advice on the incoming President, Peralta said: “My advice is for him to be a little tame when he speaks as he is already the President of the country.”

“As bishops, we will continue to cooperate with the government,” he said but added that this will be on the level of “vigilant collaboration” in the same way that they asked the people to be vigilant.

Saying that under the concept of separation of the Church and the State, the latter cannot promote one particular religion but at the same time, he added, the head of state should also give respect to all religions. (Leonardo Micua)

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments