Doctor Ethel Pineda, an avid supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte wrote an open letter addressed to Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines President Archbishop Socrates Villegas whom apparently blaming the government for the killing of several priests.
On June 11, Archbishop Villegas denounced the killing of Father Richmond Nilo and urged President Rodrigo Duterte ‘to stop the verbal persecution of the Catholic Church,’
In his statement, Villegas said:
“They are killing our flock. They are killing us shepherds. They are killing our faith. They are cursing our Church. They are killing God again as they did in Calvary,”
Many supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte believes that the “they” which Villegas is referring to in his statement is the government, and the Catholic Church might blaming the current administration for the killings of their priests.
As a response, Ethel Pineda, who’s also read the statement of Villegas asked the Archbishop for clarification, if the latter is really referring to the government.
She said that Villegas should criticize the government directly and provide an evidence to the people that the Duterte administration is the one who really ordered the assassination of several priests.
Pineda was disturbed that the Catholic Church seems to side with the opposition forces and using the death of their priest to destroy the image of President Duterte by putting the blame on him.
The doctor also listed several teachings of the Bible, proving that God even commanded their believers to obey the government and its leaders.
She also pointed out that even the Catholic Church should not be exempted in taxes and showed a bible verse that would support her point.
You can read the open letter of Pineda below:
“They are killing our flock. They are killing us shepherds. They are killing our faith. They are cursing our Church. They are killing God again as they did in Calvary.”
Who are “they,” Archbishop Socrates Villegas?
Do you mean this government? Why don’t you say it outright, instead of couching your assertions in pronouns? Why don’t you, so you can provide the people proof that it is the government doing the killing, if you are so sure of that. Innuendos do not build a case. They mislead. Something that a true shepherd will not do to his flock.
Do you know who killed the priests? Do tell us, because we, too, want to see the face of the “outrageously evil” murderers. Tell the police. Help bring them to justice. That is your civic duty.
It is very disturbing and plainly disappointing that the Catholic Church chooses to side with the forces that conspire and scheme to bring down the duly-elected president who enjoys unprecedented popular support.
Archbishop Villegas. Isn’t this what the Bible says?
“Every person must obey the leaders of the land. There is no power given but from God, and all leaders are allowed by God. 2 The person who does not obey the leaders of the land is working against what God has done. Anyone who does that will be punished.
3 Those who do right do not have to be afraid of the leaders. Those who do wrong are afraid of them. Do you want to be free from fear of them? Then do what is right. You will be respected instead. 4 Leaders are God’s servants to help you. If you do wrong, you should be afraid. They have the power to punish you. They work for God. They do what God wants done to those who do wrong.
5 You must obey the leaders of the land, not only to keep from God’s anger, but so your own heart will have peace.”
Romans 13.But wait, there’s more!
Romans 13:6 says something that’s tailor made for you.“6 It is right for you to pay taxes because the leaders of the land are servants for God who care for these things. 7 Pay taxes to whom taxes are to be paid. ”
Sweet.
Not only do you have to obey the president you disdain. You have to pay taxes, too.
For the Bible tells us so.