Christian group condemns Duterte's 'blasphemous' words vs. God

The Intercessors for the Philippines, a Christian group, on Tuesday issued a strong statement against President Rodrigo Duterte for the latter's comment against God.

"IFP believes that President Duterte has reached the highest limit of his arrogance and pride thinking that he can curse God, blaspheme Him and get away with it!" the statement signed by Bishop Daniel A. Balais, national chairman, read.

The group took offense at Duterte's speech in Davao City on Friday wherein he referred to God as stupid and shot down the creation story.

"Who is this stupid God? Estupido talaga itong p***** i** kung ganun. You created some—something perfect and then you think of an event that would tempt and destroy the quality of your work," he said in a speech in Davao City during the opening of the 2018 National ICT Summit. 

The group called on evangelicals and Catholics alike to make known their stand and express their disdain.

"This is the time to rebuke him sternly and denounce his defiance of God and his mockery of the Bible, the Word of God! His pride in his “iron hand” way of rule; his utter disregard for the dignity of life that resulted in the shedding of tens of thousands of innocent blood in his two short years of terror; the proud and unrestrained mouth that spewed cusses, curses and abominations has finally brought him to commit the ultimate sin that only Satan can do: Blaspheme and defy the very name and character of God! This is the time to pray imprecatory prayer if he does not repent! A time to say enough is enough!" the statement read.

IFP also warned of possible consequences of the President "mocking God, adding that Duterte has "destroyed and defiled the sacredness and honor of the highest office in the land entrusted to him by the people."

"Our nation stands to be judged by God severely if we do not act with decisiveness and condemn this voice of the devil using President Duterte’s mouth to insult God!" it said.

Duterte's comments have earlier earned negative reaction from Catholics and lawmakers.

Lingayen Archbishop Socrates Villegas on Tuesday urged the faithful to "pray" for Duterte following the President's attacks on God and Christianity, but "rebuke his errors" about the Christian faith.

"We pray for his healing and for God's forgiveness on him but we must rebuke his errors about our Christian faith," Villegas said in a message, issued amid Duterte's public tirades against God and the Bible.

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo on Monday deemed as "blasphemous" Duterte's strong tirades against God and the story of creation in the Bible.

Senators Antonio Trillanes IV and Risa Hontiveros on Monday said Duterte’s mocking of God is the height of arrogance and aimed at distracting the public from the current issues hounding the country.

Progressive lawmakers also said Duterte's position as chief executive does not entitle him to disrespect Filipinos' faith.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, however, said Duterte is entitled to his own spirituality.

Duterte has formed a three-man committee that will hold a dialogue with the Catholic Church and other religious groups amid intense criticism over the chief executive’s scathing remarks against God and teachings of Christianity, Roque said Tuesday.

Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles on Tuesday welcomed the proposed dialogue. —KG, GMA News