‘Rejoice and Be Glad’ following truce with Duterte

MANILA, Philippines — Following the “ceasefire” between President Duterte and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), priests belonging to the Archdiocese of Manila have been urged yesterday to read the two-page pastoral exhortation released by the CBCP at the end of their three-day plenary assembly.

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle has suggested that instead of giving a homily during masses, the priests could read the two-page call to “Rejoice and Be Glad.”

“We were requested to read this letter at all masses on the 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time, from (last night’s anticipated mass until today). The reading of the letter may replace the homily,” said Fr. Reginald Malicdem, chancellor of the archdiocese. 

The CBCP statement, which was crafted after the three-day 117th plenary assembly of the CBCP from July 7 to 9, mentioned that it was willing to work in critical collaboration with the Duterte administration.

“The Church respects the political authority, especially of democratically-elected government officials, as long as they do not contradict the basic spiritual and moral principles we hold dear, such as the sacredness of life, the integrity of creation and the inherent dignity of the human person,” CBCP president and Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles said in behalf of the CBCP. 

Valles also clarified that since they are neither political leaders nor political opponents, they could work with the government toward achieving a common goal. 

“Sometimes we qualify collaboration as ‘critical’ mainly to distinguish our differences in terms of ultimate goals, even as we partner in some shared endeavors. Needless to say, on some specific issues, collaboration might not be possible because of our spiritual and moral beliefs, which we persistently propose but never impose on the unwilling. In such instances, we can only invoke our right to conscientious objection,” he added.

The CBCP issued the statement while many Catholics and Christians were still hurting from Duterte’s God is “stupid” statement.