CBCP prexy: Dialogue could start ‘openness’ between Church and gov’t

The president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) hopes that the scheduled dialogue between President Rodrigo Duterte and church leaders would be the start of the “openness” between the Catholic Church and the government.

Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles, president of the CBCP, said the meeting with Duterte “is just an initial step of, hopefully, an ongoing listening and openness with one another.”

“I would just play it by ear just to show our sincerity, our respect, that we are open to listen to the President and to anyone who would invite us. I have no agenda in my head,” Valles said on Monday during the 117th CBCP Plenary Assembly press conference.

Even as Duterte had made remarks against god and the Catholic Church, Valles said that they are “open to listen to one another with respect, with openness” as he said this is “necessary as a pesona of ordained bishops, which is to always reach out.” /ee

READ: Duterte dialogue with church leaders draws mixed reactions from senators