By Genalyn Kabiling
President Duterte has vented his ire anew on the Catholic Church, saying it is the "most hypocritical institution" in the country.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte
(PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO/ MANILA BULLETIN)
The President said he was no longer a member of the Catholic Church as he criticized the alleged corruption and other abuses involving some priests.
"Is there any bishop here? I want to kick your ass," Duterte said during a business forum in Malacañang last Tuesday.
"I'll tell you, the most hypocritical institution in the Philippines is the Catholic Church," he added.
The President shared that he was once molested by a priest when he was studying in Ateneo high school. He said the late Fr. Mark Falvey was convicted for the sexual abuses, which compelled the Jesuits to pay $25 million to the young victims.
"I was a former Roman Catholic Church. We studied in Ateneo and we were molested, all of us. Two years up and two years down," he said.
He also criticized the Church for collecting money from its members during mass, asking where the donations go.
"The Catholic Church is strict about the behavior of workers of government because we spend the people’s money. But may I ask now, you collect --- not even taxes --- there's a log --- bag of money and they go around collecting," he said.
Duterte said since he was not a Catholic anymore, he opts to establish his own church called "Iglesia ni Rodrigo.”
Duterte said he believes in "one God" but does not believe in hell.
"I have my own concept of God is --- what God is. It's really the history. It’s only one God, God the Father. He’s not even the father. He's God, period," he said.
"Do not believe in hell. When you die you are just a piece of carcass and that's it. There's no more hell --- about hell --- burning in hell? You cannot burn a soul," he added.
He also recommended anew to the public to read the books "Altar Secrets" and "The Popes" that tackle the "corruption, homosexuality and all" of some clergymen.
"If I get out of this office, I will talk to you --- about you everyday and I will end up a pastor also, buy my own plane, everything, in the works," he said.
"And if I can convince them of the stupidity of the religion. You read 'The Popes.' And I'm sure after reading it you will never be on the edge of… I assure you," he said.