Caloocan bishop urges Filipinos to pray for Duterte, 'a very sick man'

Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David and President Rodrigo Duterte / compiled photo from Google

Manila, Philippines - Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David urged the people to pray for President Rodrigo Duterte, for he is a “very sick man.”

“I think it should obvious to people by now that our country is being led by a very sick man. We pray for him. We pray for our country,” David said on a Facebook post

There is nothing new

This statement of David came after the chief executive blurted out a joke saying;

"Hindi nga natin alam kung sino 'yang mga santo na 'yun. Sino 'yung mga gago na 'yun? Mga lasenggo. Dito na lang kayo. I'll give you a patron. Get hold of a picture of mine. Iyan ang ilagay niyo sa altar, Santo Rodrigo,"

On the same post, David said that there is “nothing new” about saints being called “fools and drunkards”.

“There’s nothing new about our saints being called ‘fools and drunkards’. St John the Baptist was even called ‘devil-possessed’. Jesus himself was called a ‘glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinner’,” he said

“To be a Christian is to be ready to be branded as a ‘fool for Christ’.” David added

screen-capped image of Bishop Pablo Virgilio David's Facebook post 

Honor the dead, emulate the saints

This latest statement from Duterte was contrary to the message he idelivered for All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

In a message released by Malacañang on Thursday, the president said Filipinos have much to gain from the “virtuous example” of those who departed in the grace of God.

“May their deeds inspire us to become advocates of peace and solidarity as we do our part in building our nation and in alleviating the suffering of others,” he said.*

“Together, let us emulate our saints, pray for the eternal repose of souls and deepen our engagement with our communities as we work for real and lasting change.” Duterte added

He also called on the Filipinos to honor their departed loved ones and wished them a solemn and meaningful observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

“We remember our saints and our dead whose lives have deeply inspired us to grow in faith, hope and love,” Duterte said

CBCP head Romulo Valles meets with President Rodrigo Duterte in July. Also in the photo is then SAP Bong Go  / photo from ABS CBN

Source: Philstar