The Catholic religion has become “passè” as various churches in Europe have been converted into restaurants,
President Duterte said Tuesday.
The President, deploring the sex scandals hounding the Catholic Church, cautioned that the religion would cease to exist within 10 years unless “radical changes” are implemented.
“In Europe, ‘yung mga dating churches, they are converted into restaurants. Mga restaurant-restaurant na. If there are no radical changes within the next 10 years, I tell you…Itong mga anak natin, bright ‘to eh. Nagbabasa ‘yan lalo na sa ano. And they would have formed their own opinion about what it is in this world. Wala na ‘yang Katoliko,” he said during the assembly of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines at the historic landmark Manila Hotel.
“It’s a passé. Actually passé na eh. Bakit ka magsimba-simba pa doon?” he said.
Just last Monday, the President predicted the possible demise of Catholicism in 25 years amid the abuses involving priests. “Who needs a religion like that?” Duterte asked, recounting the alleged involvement of priests in the abuse of minors and nuns.
The President said he has been “vindicated” after Pope Francis acknowledged the abuses committed by some priests. He said the Pope even convened a summit at the Vatican to tackle clerical sex abuses.
“It’s worldwide now, pati ‘yung mga madre. Kasi sabi kasi nito – eh sabi ng mga madre, binulgar mo na,” he said.
Duterte, an abuse victim, has often denounced the alleged corruption and abuses involving some prelates
in his public speeches. He has vented his ire on the Catholic Church, claiming it was the most hypocritical institution in the country. (Genalyn Kabiling)