Binalewala ng mga pinuno ng Simbahang Katoliko ang naging pahayag kamakailan ni Pangulong Duterte na hindi na siya Katoliko.
Sinabi ni Father Jerome Secillano, executive secretary ng Public Affairs Committee ng Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), na malaya ang Pangulo na pumili ng kanyang sariling relihiyon.
“Religion is not forced on anybody,” sabi ni Secillano. “One is free to choose his own spiritual path that will lead him to God.”
Ganito rin ang naging pahayag ni Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes: “No one can be forced to embrace any religious group.”
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Ngunit sa kabila ng kalayaang pumili ng sarili niyang relihiyon, iginiit ni Secillano na bawat isa, anuman ang relihiyon, ay may tungkulin na ipaglaban at protektahan ang dignidad ng tao.
“Basic in any religion is respect for human being, his rights and dignity. Hence, regardless of religion, one is duty bound to uphold and protect the dignity of man,” aniya.
Nitong nakaraang linggo, inihayag ni Duterte na bagamat nananatili siyang Kristiyano ay hindi na siya Katoliko.
-Leslie Ann G. Aquino
