Philippine President, Rodrigo Duterte, shows a book describing alleged indiscretions of the country's Catholic Church leaders at a briefing at the presidential palace in Manila on Jan. 24. (Photo courtesy of Malacanang Presidential Photo)
Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte has challenged all the country's Catholic bishops, in a foul-mouthed tirade, to quit over alleged corruption and sexual abuse issues.
"I challenge all the bishops.... Let's resign tomorrow, all together, okay? Resign. I will do it first. I will deliver my letter of resignation, you wait," said Duterte.
Statements from several bishops criticizing killings linked to Duterte's anti-narcotics war apparently irked the president.
Some 7,000 suspected drug users and dealers have been killed since the maverick former mayor from Mindanao became president in June.
Duterte was particularly angry with former Bishop Teodoro Bacani of Novaliches who described the president's illegal drugs war as a "bringer of death."
In an address before delegates of the World Apostolic Congress on Mercy, Bishop Bacani said the "merciless ways" of dealing with drug dependents should be rejected.
But the president said the bishop had no right to speak about morality because he "has two wives like me."
"Stupid. Then, that monkey would speak that way. Son of a bitch," Duterte said before families of policemen who died during a botched anti-terror operation in 2013.
"We all have the same disgrace," said the president, citing a 2013 book, Altar of Secrets, that outlined alleged corruption and sexual abuse cases involving Filipino bishops.
"I challenge the Catholic Church. You are full of shit. You all smell bad, corruption and all," said the president, adding that church leaders have no right to criticize because of their own sins.
"What is your moral ascendancy in the Philippines? Religion? What is the meaning of it? You do not help us. You just keep on talking," Duterte said.
'Nonsense'
A leading Catholic bishop dismissed Duterte's challenge as "nonsense."
"These are mere words uttered thoughtlessly, not worthy of consideration. He is fond of talking nonsense," said the Bishop Arturo Bastes of Sorsogon.
Bishop Honesto Ontioco of Cubao said the president is "entitled to his opinion."
"Doctors should not stop healing people just because they get sick. Nobody is perfect," he said.
Oblate Father Eliseo Mercado Jr. said Duterte was only showing " his usual belligerency against the Catholic Church."
Father Mercado urged Catholic friends on social media to proclaim on their Facebook walls their Catholic faith.
"We are the church! Stand proud and be counted, proclaim to the whole world our Catholic faith!" read the priest's post.
Rumor-mongering president
For his part, Bishop Bacani said he did not know where the "rumor-mongering president" got his information, referring to the wife jibe.
"I will borrow 5 million pesos and give it to [Duterte] if it's proven that I have a wife," said the bishop.
The bishop said his criticism of the government's war on narcotics is consistent with the church's stand on the protection of life.
"We are doing it not for ourselves, not to oust the president, but to save the lives of people," said Bishop Bacani.
Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of San Carlos said he felt "saddened" at how Duterte handles criticism of his administration.
"But that's his reality. He can't be otherwise till he learns to recognize how his own issues blind him in his pursuit for change and serving our people," he said.
Bishop Alminaza said Duterte "has good desires and intentions but he illustrates well how our blind spots and lack of proper conscience-formation can jeopardize his great dreams."
