MANILA — The Archdiocese of Manila has refuted a viral post quoting Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle as saying that it would be better if members of the clergy will be the ones to lead the country.
Manila Archdiocesan Office of Communication head Fr. Roy Bellen said the social media post claiming that Tagle is asking the faithful to help the fight against the Duterte government did not come from him.
“The Office of Communications of the Archdiocese would like to clarify that Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle does not issue any statement or message stating that the Church should take leadership over the government, particularly the one that is spreading in social media the past few days,” Bellen said in a statement issued Wednesday evening.
The Catholic priest was referring to posts quoting the head of the Manila Archdiocese as saying, “Help us in our fight versus the Duterte dictatorship”.
On the other hand, Bellen noted that the cardinal has issued a pastoral statement which encourages the faithful to participate in activities that promote goodwill in parishes and communities.
The social media post came amid the numerous tirades by President Rodrigo Duterte against the Church.
On Wednesday, the Manila archbishop urged the Catholic faithful to respect the views of people belonging to other religious denominations and those who do not believe in God.
He also urged priests to stay calm and faithful amid various issues and events in the country.