Pope Francis tells Bishop Ambo: Courage!

Caloocan Bishop Pablo David said he received confirmation of his pastoral ministry from Pope Francis during his ad limina visit at the Vatican City in Italy. PHOTO FROM PABLO VIRGILIO DAVID Facebook post

Pope Francis has given a "special blessing," assurance of prayers, confirmation of the pastoral ministry of the bishop who has been the subject of attack by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Caloocan Bishop Pablo David is a vocal critic of Duterte and his administration's war on drugs and extra-judicial killings.

David was among Filipino bishops who visited the Pontiff in Rome for their ad limina visit, in which they deliver reports about the diocese that they manage.

In a Facebook post, David, who is also called "Bishop Ambo" by parishioners and colleagues, relayed his personal experience of his visit.

The bishops were seated around the Pope in a circle and were allowed us to address him freely without a microphone.

"Several brother bishops had raised their hands before me. When I had my turn, I told him I had no question; I just wanted to ask for his prayers," the prelate said.

"He looked into my eyes as I spoke. I was surprised when he interrupted me in the middle of my sentence and said, “I want you to know that I know your situation; I know what you are going through. I am praying for you. Please continue," said David, adding that he became emotional upon hearing the Pope's words.

After the audience, the bishops gave Pope Francis their gifts.

David said they had a short exchange after he handed over his personal gift, a copy of "El Evangelio del Amor De Acuerdo a Juan/a (The Gospel of Love According to Juan/a)," the Spanish version of the book he co-authored with Nina Tomen.

The translation was by Argentinian Fr. Salvador Curutchet, to which the Pope reacted.

"He was delighted to find out that the book was in his mother tongue. He chuckled and said, “We’re like dust, aren’t we? We’re everywhere in the world.” I quickly retorted and said, “So are we, Filipinos, Holy Father.” And he laughed," said David.

It was the parting words of the Pontiff that David said was a confirmation of the work of "his fellow apostles in faith."

"On my way out, after I received his gift, I was ready to step out already when he held my arm and said, “Wait. Please let me give you a special blessing. I want you to know I am with you as you face trials in your ministry in your diocese.”

"Then he extended his right hand to pray over me. He said, “May the Lord keep within you the heart of the Good Shepherd.” Then he pulled me to himself to give me a warm paternal embrace, pressing his head against mine, and brushing his hand gently on my back as he whispered into my ears, “Courage!” My heart melted after that. I just said, “Thank you, Holy Father," David related.

Last month, Duterte lashed out at David, who he accused of using the pulpit to attack the government.

"Alam mo kung pari ka, gusto mo akong atakehin. Hoy, David makinig kang p**** i** ka, lumabas ka sa pulpito mo. Huwag mong gamitin ang relihiyon," Duterte said during his speech.

Bishop David turned to social media to answer the President to defend his mother.

"Our family does not expect anyone in government to give her a recognition for her immense contribution in nation-building. But we do not expect anyone either, to insult her memory and call her a whore. She does not deserve it," he said. 

The bishop, during a forum in April this year, questioned the supposed warrantless arrests of drug suspects and lamented the support of some Catholics to the alleged extrajudicial killings in the course of the campaign.

In reaction, Malacañang issued a statement hitting back at David for his alleged misrepresentation of the government’s war on drugs to the public.

It was also in the Diocese of Caloocan that young men were killed during police operations in 2017, particularly the cases of  Carl Angelo Arnaiz and Kian Loyd delos Santos.

"The case of Carl Angelo Arnaiz was a murder, plain and simple except that it was committed by our law enforcers. That gives a chilling effect," the bishop was quoted as saying.

"I will insist that Kian and Carl are not isolated cases. The Caloocan policemen just happen to be 'sloppy' in carrying out their extrajudicial killings. They've made it too obvious," he said. — BAP, GMA News