Erap attends mass 12 years after ouster

MANILA, Philippines - Almost 12 years since his ouster as president, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada has started hearing masses again in Catholic churches.

“I’m back!” a smiling Estrada told reporters yesterday.

According to Estrada, he started “somewhat” believing in the pontifical church again after Pope Francis and Manila Archbishop Lucinito Tagle were appointed.

The simplicity and “pro-poor” stance of these church leaders, he said, inspired and encouraged him to renew the faith he lost, after the church – then led by Archbishop Jaime Sin – helped unseat him in 2001.

“They are pro-poor. They practice what they preach. They never resided in the palace,” Estrada said.

Estrada said he felt betrayed when the church rallied against him. It was not something he expected “because I’m the only Philippine president who took his oath in the Barosoain church. Yet it was the church that removed me (from office).”

“I felt depressed,” Estrada said describing how he felt 12 years ago. “The separation of church and state is clear in the Constitution.”

He added that during these years, he would only go to Catholic churches when invited to weddings and other events.

The “hatred” he once felt for the church was gone. Since Tagle and Pope Francis started leading the church, Estrada said he has started hearing masses again in Pinaglabanan church and another church in Sta. Mesa, Manila.

“I think they are living up to what Christ said: ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me,’” he added.