Philippine president slams Catholic church for opposing war on drugs

Jardine Malado Tuesday, January 24, 2017

President Rodrigo Duterte speaks in front of housewives and mothers, that participate in the anti-illegal drugs campaign of the provincial government and Duterte's war on drugs at Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga, Philippines December 22, 2016. | Reuters/Erik De Castro

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte denounced the Catholic Church for speaking out against the summary killings linked to the government's war on drugs.

In his speech during the oathtaking of Philippine National Police officials on Thursday, Duterte questioned the Church's moral ascendancy to criticize the drug war and accused the clergymen of homosexuality, corruption and child abuse.

According to police figures, as many as 7,042 people have been killed in the drug war. A total of 2,250 died in anti-drug operations while most of the other deaths are still being investigated.

He said that the priests should use their influence to help end drug addiction instead of denouncing him.

"Most people here are Catholic. If you are a good priest, make them understand that they will die," the president said, referring to drug users, as reported by The Guardian.

"You criticise the police, you criticise me. For what? You have the money. You are all crazy ... when we were making confessions to you, we were being molested. They are touching us. What is your moral ascendancy, religion? What is the meaning of it?" he continued.

Duterte's speech came a day after one of his top advisers met with Pope Francis at the Vatican. Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza delivered the president's letter to the pope to thank him for his visit to the Philippines in 2015.

"The Philippines values its special relations with the Holy See and regards with gratitude your Holiness' gracious stewardship of the Catholic Church Please accept, your Holiness, the assurances of my highest esteem and respect," the president said in the letter, according to Inquirer.

Dureza said that the pope told him that he would bless the Philippines as well as the president.

Duterte caused controversy when he cursed the pope for causing traffic jams during his papal visit in January 2015. The president subsequently apologized and explained that he was cursing at the government's incompetence, and not the pope. In 2016, he claimed that he was physically molested by a priest when he was young.

Responding to Duterte's tirade, Catholic Bishop Ruperto Santos said that the Church is open to dialogue with the government, but it will not compromise its pro-life stance.