ASIA/PHILIPPINES - In a nation divided over Duterte's judicial affair, the Church preaches and works for unity

Manila (Agenzia Fides) - In a country torn apart by the trial of former President Rodrigo Duterte, indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity committed during the "war on drugs" he waged (see Fides 11/03/2025), the Catholic Church in the Philippines is trying to restore national unity, while society - which is preparing, among other things, for the midterm elections next May - appears increasingly divided into pro-Duterte and anti-Duterte groups.
One of the first measures adopted by Catholic communities is prayer: in a period considered extremely critical, the Archbishop of Manila, Cardinal José Advincula, invites the faithful to "overcome differences and be open to a constant conversion towards truth, justice and peace." For this reason, the Cardinal issued a public appeal for an "oratio imperata," a "compulsory prayer" for the nation, to be recited daily during Mass in all parishes of the archdiocese starting on the third Sunday of Lent.
For the Catholic community, this time - which coincides with Lent -should be an opportunity for conversion: The imprisonment of former President Rodrigo Duterte in The Hague could be a "special grace," "a spiritual opportunity," according to Msgr. Patricio Buzon, Bishop of Bacolod, who urged Rodrigo Duterte's supporters to "change their perspective." The time in prison is like a spiritual retreat, said Bishop Buzon, adding: "After all, Duterte is his son. God wants him to be saved, because 'God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that he turns from his ways and lives' (Ez 18:23)." The bishop stigmatized "the blind fanaticism that is tearing us apart as a people": "It is time to put our love for our country above any political loyalty," he said.
Among the countermeasures devised by Duterte's supporters is the so-called "No Remittances Week": As a form of protest, large groups of Filipinos abroad -more than 10 million people -plan, especially in Europe, to block remittances, the economic contributions sent home that are a vital support to the national economy. This measure would negatively impact thousands of Filipino families. Bishop Ruperto Santos of Antipolo said: "Freezing remittances, even if only temporarily, could devastate the lives of these families and leave them vulnerable, as they will struggle to make ends meet," and there are fears of a "domino effect" on businesses and communities that depend on this flow of money. "As a bishop, I call for unity and dialogue. Let us seek peaceful and constructive ways to address problems without harming our families and our nation" in order to "promote healing and support the common good." Archbishop Monsignor Jose Cabantan of Cagayan de Oro on the island of Mindanao - the region where Duterte had the most supporters - rejected claims that a daily Mass was being celebrated in the cathedral "for the return of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the Philippines." The Eucharist, like all Masses, was "not dedicated to any particular person, group, or political cause," he wrote. The archbishop emphasized the Church's commitment to neutrality and to ensuring that "places of worship remain spaces of faith, reflection, and unity," and urged the faithful to work for "peace, unity, and justice."
Meanwhile, the office of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reiterated that it would not cooperate with the International Criminal Court regarding the charges of crimes against humanity filed against former President Rodrigo Duterte, "since the Philippines does not recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC." The government rejected claims that the transfer of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the ICC was due to a dispute between Marcos and Duterte, stressing that "there is nothing personal about the arrest." Other politicians emphasized that "beyond political advantages, the country's sovereignty and the interest in true justice for every Filipino must remain a priority". (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 27/3/2025)

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