The head of the Philippines bishops' conference expressed concern over what he perceived to be a growing trend "of rebuffing Church morals and doctrine" in his country.
Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan opened his Easter message with a searing rebuke of the faithful in the Philippines, questioning their behaviour.
"How many of our Catholics openly and blatantly declare, 'I am a Catholic, but I agree that drug addicts must be killed; they are useless. I am a Catholic but I am pro-death penalty... I am a Catholic, but I do not always obey my bishop, he is too old fashioned. ... I am a priest but my bishop's circulars are optional for obedience. ... I am a Catholic but ... I am a Catholic but ...,'" Archbishop Villegas trailed off in the published message.
