Duterte 'curses' Pope Francis; CBCP condemns vulgarity

“Gusto kong tawagan, ‘Pope putang ina ka, umuwi ka na. ‘Wag ka nang magbisita dito.”—what seems a ‘joke’ spark outrage over various sectors especially some members of the Catholic Church last November 30 when Mayor Duterte wrapped up his speech at PDP-Laban’s declaration of his presidential bid.

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) through CBCP president Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas posted on Facebook their statement entitled “Mayor Duterte?” where CBCP slams the Mayor’s outrageous statement. On the Archbishop’s post:

“Vulgarity is corruption. When we find vulgarity funny, we have really become beastly and barbaric as a people. 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.” (Read full text: http://goo.gl/j6Trti)

Archbishop Socrates further elaborated the different faces of corruption which is not limited to stealing of public funds but also encompasses KILLING, ADULTERY, and VULGARITY.  As the statement goes “Killing is a crime and a sin whether it is done by criminals or public officials no matter what the intention. Adultery is corruption. It make smarried love cheap and uses people for pleasure. Adultery corrupts the family; it destroys children and victimizes the weak.”

Meanwhile, Duterte was quoted through former North Cotabato Mayor Manny Piñol “I can never curse my Pope. I was cursing at the incompetence of government. If it was taken by some in that light, I sincerely apologize. I will continue to curse so our suffering nation takes action,”. Duterte’s camp still find the presidential candidate ‘misunderstood’ referring to his statement not as a direct attack to the Pope but an expression of exasperation on the long hours of traffic.

Social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, G+ and Instagram flooded with diverse sentiments on the Mayor’s actions. While some rage in anger and disappointment, others remained solid for the presidential candidate.

Sources:

-http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/743899/duterte-denies-slur-on-pope-i-was-cursing-govt-incompetence

- https://www.facebook.com/frsocratesvillegas/posts/426677457538693

Photo credits:

-directory.ucanews.com

-kickerdaily.com