Pope Francis and Duterte

Almost all of the main and social media news in the last two weeks were about Pope Francis, his life and his death. There might be as much or less coverage in the next three weeks during his burial, the conclave, and the election of a new pope. The outpouring of grief and condolences from people all over the world including from presidents, prime ministers, kings, and other world leaders were in volumes. They came from all kinds of governments and ideologues, from autocrats, monarchies, socialists, democrats, and even terrorist organizations. And from countries of all sizes, big and small.

Pope Francis was an extraordinary man, priest, and pope who touched/affected the lives of people all over the world. He truly cared for the oppressed, poor, and marginalized (including LGBTs), and advocated for justice and tolerance for all. In resolving the long-pestering problems of clerical abuses, justice, and retribution were implemented. He openly criticized the wars and violence in many countries, defended the victims, and devoted religious, moral, social, and physical resources to those who needed them. His presence in the devastated and ruined places encouraged the sentiments and contributions of many countries.

So, if Trump, Putin, Xi, their sub-alterns, and politicians and government officials of all stripes officially sent sympathetic messages, including our President Marcos, why were there no words of condolence and respect from our Vice President Duterte and her political party. The well-known disrespect of former president Duterte of Pope Francis during his visit to the Philippines could be one reason. The Dutertes' adversarial position on the Catholic Church and priests, especially regarding the EJKs during the war on drugs, and abuses during Duterte’s presidential term could be another reason, together with the critical stance of many catholics on the allegations against Sara as vice president and as DePEd secretary.

The Duterte association with the controversial Quiboloy sect and the Iglesia ni Kristo which are Christian sects that don't recognize the pope as their leader, also clouds the views and perspectives of the Dutertes on the Catholic Church and the popes. Without judging the religion and religiousity of the Dutertes, their silence and their lack of statements on the death of Pope Francis, brings to the fore, the moral conflicts of some Duterte followers. Beyond the core extreme Duterte loyalists, are practicing devoted Catholics who admired Pope Francis. They are those who lend a deaf ear or deny the harsh tirades, immoral, amoral narratives that Duterte heaped on the Catholic Church and the pope, together with lifestyles that are morally unjust and against the Church teachings. There is a time when it is difficult to separate/compartmentalize your politics from your spiritual values, and maybe it is time to align them to live a more peaceful morally-unconflicted life.

From a national political perspective, especially with the mid-term election in a few weeks and the coming 2028 elections, maybe silence or no comment on the death of Pope Francis was the better posture for the Dutertes, primarily to avoid alienating the core/extreme Duterte followers. But there is also the possibility that the moderate Duterte supporters will awaken/resolve their religious and moral conflict, and align/believe in truth and justice, in the goodness of man and in the will of God.