In the Public Square: Does God take sides?

On March 11, the first anniversary of the arrest of Rodrigo Duterte for crimes against humanity, the Archbishop of Davao said Mass in Davao City praying for “Tatay Digong’s” safe return.

On the same day, in Quezon City, victims of Duterte’s iron rule joined a Mass led by Father Flavie Villanueva. Their prayer: That Duterte may pay for “killing our loved ones.”

Two Masses, two entirely different prayer intentions. Which one would the Christian God listen to? Does God take sides?

In this new episode of In The Public Square, Rappler columnist John Nery is joined by Father Flavie Villanueva, SVD. He founded the Arnold Janssen Kalinga Center in 2015 — a year before Duterte came to power. Father Flavie became one of the staunchest critics of Duterte’s so-called war on drugs because he refused to look away from the killing spree, and used the Center to care for the victims and their survivors. Last year, he received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for upholding “the dignity of the poor and the oppressed.”

Watch the episode on Wednesday, April 1, at 8 pm.-Rappler.com