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Palace: Tagle’s presentation at Vatican summit validation of Duterte’s criticism of clergy misdeeds


Malacañang on Friday said it views the statement of Manila Archbishop Luis Cardinal Tagle recognizing cases of clerical sexual abuse as a “validation” of President Rodrigo Duterte’s position on the issue.

The clerical sexual abuse summit in the Vatican was initiated by no less than Pope Francis to address the increasing number of sexual abuse cases allegedly perpetrated by ordained leaders in the Church.

Tagle was tasked by the Pope to give the first formal talk on the opening of the summit on Thursday.

The prelate said recognizing the faults and  “drawing close to the wounds” would be the first step to promoting healing.

“We view the presentation of Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle during the historic Vatican Meeting, ‘The Protection of Minors in the Church,’ as a significant undertaking in raising awareness on child abuse committed by the members of the clergy,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.

“This is a common theme of President Rodrigo Duterte’s speeches and a validation of his running criticism on the men of the cloth.”

Duterte is a critic of the Church, having used his speeches to lash out at bishops and priests whom he accused of womanizing, molesting children and corruption. He also claimed to have been molested by a priest when he was a young student.

Early this month, Duterte urged the Church to reform itself after Francis admitted about the sexual abuse of nuns by priests and bishops.

“Recognizing the misdeeds of the past by some members of the clergy is a humbling and painful admission on the venerable Roman Catholic Church known for its culture of self-denial and secrecy,” Panelo said.

“Cardinal Tagle’s pained admission on the clergy's long kept secret abomination is part of the wrenching and cleansing process that the Church is undergoing.”

Panelo expressed confidence that with Francis at the helm “the spirit of reform will continue unhampered to further cleanse and rejuvenate the Church.”

“As the Holy Father conceded, concrete and effective measures are needed to address this issue,” the Palace official said.

Francis on Wednesday called those who constantly criticize the Church as friends of the devil, but the Palace said Duterte did not feel alluded to by the remark.

“One of the better critics of the Church is the Pope himself. He criticizes the members of the Church who are engaged in what he perceives to be immorality which is outside of the teachings of Christ or the internal discipline of the Church,” Panelo said at a news conference on Thursday when told about Francis' statement.

“When he addressed those members of the Church who could not be celibate to leave the Church, he is a critic. But it does not mean also that when you criticize you are evil. You’re just expressing concern and opposition to certain irregular behavior,” he said. — RSJ, GMA News

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