Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop and CBCP president Socrates Villegas. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
THE leader of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has finally aired his side amid the scathing remarks made by President-elect Rodrigo Duterte against the dominant Catholic Church.
In his message titled “Understanding Silence,” Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop and CBCP President Socrates Villegas highlighted the value of silence amid the tirades launched by the anti-establishment incoming President.
“There is virtue in silence. There is virtue in speech. Wisdom is knowing when it is time for silence and when is the timing for speech,” Villegas was quoted in a CBCP News report.
“Mine is the silence of Jesus before the arrogance of Pilate…Mine is the language of peace that refuses the dark magic of revenge. Mine is the silence of respect for those who consider us their enemies but whose good we truly pray for and whose happiness we want to see unfold,” he added.
“You can understand my speech if you speak the language of silence. You can understand my silence if you know how to love like Him who was born one silent night,” the prelate said.
Duterte has been relentless in his criticisms of the Catholic Church, branding it as the “most hypocritical institution.”
In a recent press conference, Duterte vowed to expose the alleged Church abuses during his six-year term.
He slammed Catholic bishops who allegedly received SUVs from the government—supposedly intended for pastoral work.
“Luxury cars for charity, mga bishops isa pang mga p***** ina (bishops who are sons of b******). What a hypocrite society,” Duterte said last Thursday.
“I can sit the whole six years of the presidency exposing you and attacking you. I can lose my life and honor anytime. I will not die if I don’t become President. So don’t f*** with me!” Duterte said.
The septuagenarian president claimed that he was abused by a Catholic priest when he was still a freshman at the Ateneo de Davao University.