Duterte is willing to be nailed on cross if clergy can disprove ‘Altar of Secrets’ claims

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte shows a copy of the book ‘Altar of Secrets’ authored by Aries Rufo while delivering his speech during the Barangay Summit on Good Governance Region 11, held at the RMC Petro Gazz Arena in Davao City on December 18, 2018. JOEY DALUMPINES/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

President Rodrigo Duterte launched another tirade against the Catholic Church during his speech on Thursday, January 10, saying that he is willing to be crucified only if the clergy has proven the allegations stated in the Altar of Secrets to be false.

Speaking at the groundbreaking of the Gen. Gregorio Del Pilar National High School in Bulacan, Duterte said, “Kung masagot nila ito at sabihin nila may isang bagay dito na mali, abangan ninyo ang holy week. Dito ako magpalansang sa krus sa Bulacan (If they can answer this and say even just one thing here is wrong, watch out this holy week. I will have myself nailed in a cross here in Bulacan).”

“Oo, totoo. Pero huwag naman matagal. Siguro mga 30 minutos ka naka… Kaya ko man ‘yan. Walang –- walang yabang (Yes, it is true. But not for a long time. Maybe for 30 minutes. I can do it. No boasting),” he added.

The Altar of Secrets: Sex, Politics, and Money in the Philippine Catholic Church is a book written by the late journalist Aries Rufo which talks about the alleged wrongdoings of some members of the clergy. The book was published in June 2013.

The President, in his speech, also slammed the Catholic priest not to use the pulpit to “attack” him, reminding them that there is a separation of Church and State.

“Do not use the religion because if you use the religion… Demonic ako (I’m demonic) — demonyo ako (I’m a demon) and to the extent magsabi, ‘sana mamatay na si Duterte (that they will say ‘I wish Duterte will die’) in a mass. You are treading into dangerous grounds,” he said.

In an ABS-CBN report, Fr. Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ (CBCP’s) public affairs committee, defended that the Catholic Church is not “denying” the misdeeds committed by several priests and bishops as these were being reported in the news.

“Ito ay isang katotohanan na masakit man malaman pero tanggap namin dahil ito ay totoong nangyayari (It is a painful truth but we accept it as it is really happening),” he said.

To address such issues, Secillano said the Church is “conducting interventions, such as undergoing rehabilitation or worst, defrocking.”

Duterte has been throwing verbal attacks against the Church, which he earlier called as the “most hypocritical institution” in the country, in his speeches recently.

In fact, the Chief Executive last Wednesday made another sharp rhetoric against the clergymen, telling tambays (bystanders) to rob the ‘rich’ bishops and kill them after.

Duterte previously wished death for “useless” Catholic bishops who only criticize his administration.

[READ: Duterte blasts Church anew, says ‘useless’ bishops should be killed]

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, however, downplayed this remark, explaining that it was only “hyperbole” on the part of the President.

“The President just like any ordinary human being,  is upset when the good things that he does for this country is not even appreciated by people who were supposed to support, like the Church,” Panelo had said.

[READ: Duterte’s ‘kill bishops’ remark is only ‘hyperbole’ — Palace]