Duterte threatens to kick bishops in latest rant against Catholic Church
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte Tuesday broke anew his promise to refrain from criticizing the Catholic Church, hurling fresh tirades at the religious group of majority of Filipinos.
During the launching of an entrepreneurship alliance in Malacañang, Duterte reiterated that he has his own concept of God.
He then asked whether there was a bishop in the audience, which was composed of business leaders, politicians and diplomats.
"Is there any bishop here? I want to kick your a**... and the priest," the president said.
Duterte then rehashed his allegations against the Church including its supposed failure to account for the money it collected from the public.
He also reiterated that he and his classmates were molested by an American priest in Ateneo de Davao.
"We studied in Ateneo. We were molested all of us," he said.
Duterte then mocked the Church's veneration of saints, individuals who are considered by Catholics as models of the faith. He singled out St. Isidore, the patron of farmers who is very popular in provinces that rely on agriculture.
"We are assigned in every parochial thing, there's something. 'Yours is San Isidro. Your saint.' And who is this s***? You know, they were nomadic tribes at that time. Nomadic. Who is this guy San Isidro that every town fiesta, we kill our cows, carabaos, just to spend because it is the fiesta of San Isidro?" the president said, referring to town feasts in honor of the saint.
Duterte then claimed that he is no longer a Catholic and he is considering joining another Christian sect. He then joked about religious leaders who have accumulated wealth.
"When I get out of office, I will talk about you every day... I will end up a pastor also buy my own plane," the president said.
He also repeated his joke about establishing his own religious group Iglesia ni Rodrigo.
"Iglesia ni Rodrigo does not limit anything. Do not believe in hell. If you die you will be a piece of carcass," Duterte said.
Last June, Duterte stirred controversy for questioning Christianity's creation account and saying that God must have been stupid for allowing temptation to corrupt his work.
READ: Palace shifts narrative on Duterte's 'stupid God' remark, says Catholic Church should apologize
After meeting with his longtime friend and Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines President Romulo Valles last month, Duterte agreed to refrain from lambasting Catholicism. The president has also apologized for his statements about God but stressed that religious leaders should avoid using the pulpit to malign him. — Alexis Romero
- Latest
- Trending
