Stop going to church, Philippines president tells his people

Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte has urged people to stop going to church and said they could build their own chapels instead.

Duterte has faced fierce criticism from Catholic bishops over his 'war on drugs', which has seen thousands murdered in apparent extra-judicial killings. Police say they all died in gang shoot-outs.

Yesterday he caused further outrage when he said he would set up a 'Duterte Death Squad' to kill members of the Maoist New People's Army.

He has previously said 'God is stupid'. 

According to UCA News, Duterte said of bishops who had criticised his no-quarter drugs policy: 'You don't have to go to church to pay for these idiots.'

He has accused Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, who has criticised drug-related killings, of giving church donations to his own family, saying in a November 22 speech: 'You, David, you be quiet. You go on asking for contributions... Where does the people's money go?'

He said: 'You know, the truth is, I tell you, the offerings, the pineapple, avocado, bananas, where do they go? You want to know? I will show you. [They go] To his family.

'The fool just keeps on asking – there is even a second collection.'

Duterte said he thought David might be taking drugs himself, to which the bishop replied on Facebook: 'No sir, I'm not into drugs of any sort, whether legal of illegal. Never been.'

News
Is it time to spare Gen Alpha an injustice too cruel for words?
Is it time to spare Gen Alpha an injustice too cruel for words?

The neglect surrounding leprosy is condemning Generation Alpha — the very  generation our own children belong to — to avoidable disability, isolation and unimaginable cruelty. 

Foreign aid cuts leave Gen Alpha increasingly exposed to leprosy, Christian aid charity warns
Foreign aid cuts leave Gen Alpha increasingly exposed to leprosy, Christian aid charity warns

Children in some of the world’s poorest communities are facing a growing risk of leprosy, as reductions in overseas aid undermine efforts to detect and treat the disease, according to The Leprosy Mission Great Britain.

Goma experiences revival one year after invasion
Goma experiences revival one year after invasion

Despite great suffering and hardship, God is working.

Is Carney’s Davos sermon the way forward?
Is Carney’s Davos sermon the way forward?

Is there hope? Yes, but it is not in Carney’s Brave New World.