MANILA — Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president and Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles is hoping that his scheduled meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte will be the start of cooperation between the Church and the State.
Valles noted that he immediately accepted the government’s invitation for the meeting.
“Let me be clear that the invitation, the very gracious invitation, came from Malacanang, came from them and I said yes because as a bishop we are open to listen to one another and with respect, and with openness and especially for the persona of the ordained minister, bishop to be always reaching out,” he said in a press briefing at the closing of the CBCP’s 117th Plenary Assembly at the Pope Pius XII Center in Manila on Monday.
The Davao prelate added that they did not prepare a list of issues to discuss with the Chief Executive, as he is hoping that it will not be a one-time meeting.
“It is not true that we (bishops) come up with the list of issues that I will discuss with the President. But it is good to note that this meeting is an initial step and hopefully an ongoing listening with one another. So just a small, initial step,” Valles said.
“Remember the invitation came from them. Play it by ear just to show our respect and sincerity to listen to the president so I have no fixed agenda in my head because the invitation came from them,” he furthered.
As of press time, Valles said he has yet to meet with Duterte due to “overflowing” work at the CBCP.
“It’s supposed to be today (Monday). But, I said, let me see. The work at CBCP overflowed into the morning. So let’s see,” Valles said.
It was reported that Duterte will meet Valles on July 9 in Malacañang. (Ferdinand Patinio/PNA)
