Rody highlights fight vs injustice, corruption in Traslacion message

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte highlighted the fight against injustice, corruption and abuse of power in his message for this year’s Traslacion of the Black Nazarene.

 

Duterte, a Catholic who claimed to believe in God but not in religion, said Filipinos keep their faith as they strive to fight the ills of society.

 

“Good fortunes are usually borne out of hard work and perseverance. Prayers are likely answered because we do not give up or get tired from asking God for the fulfillment of our heart's desires,” the president said in a statement issued Monday.  

 

“We are neither exhausted by praying constantly nor do we ever falter in expressing our religious fervor. Despite the passage of time, we relentlessly fight against injustice and lies; abuse of power; and the corruption that eats up the soul,” he added.

 

Duterte described as “phenomenal” the expression of faith of the millions of Black Nazarene devotees, which comes in the form of gratitude, petition and sacrifice.

 

“Good fortunes are usually borne out of hard work and perseverance. Prayers are likely answered because we do not give up or get tired from asking God for the fulfillment of our heart's desires,” the president said.

 

Duterte said his administration has “deep empathy” for the “core of faith” that pushes the Filipino masses to sacrifice every single day while “still finding a piece of themselves to honor God.” He said such image can be recognized in the Black Nazarene, “who carried his cross to redeem the rest of humankind.”

 

“In His tears, we see our sorrow; and in His agony, we find our solace and strength to triumph against the most insurmountable odds,” Duterte said.  

 

“Through our fervent prayers for the country, let us join the Catholic faithful in the passionate observance of the Feast of the Black Nazarene,” he added.

 

Duterte has had issues with the Roman Catholic Church, which has been critical of his bloody war on illegal drugs and his policy on contraceptives.  

 

The president has labeled the Church as a “hypocritical” institution and even claimed that religion is just about collecting money from believers.

 

More than 80 percent of Filipinos adhere to the Catholic faith, which was brought by the Spaniards to the Philippines in the 16th century.