Ramon Arguelles is urging the faithful to stay away from Madonna's concert on February 24 and 25, which is held in the same hall where Pope Francis met Filipino families a year ago.
- February 24, 2016
AceShowbiz -
A Philippine bishop is speaking out against Madonna's concert in the country. On Wednesday, February 24, Ramon Arguelles, wrote on website of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, urging Catholics to boycott the two-days "Rebel Heart" concert.
"Why is the Catholic Philippines the favorite venue for blasphemy against God and the Holy Mother?" asked the archbishop of Lipa City, south of the capital, referring to the same venue where Pope Francis met Filipino families last year. "Pinoys and all God-loving people should avoid sin and occasions of sin."
According to Ramon, Madonna's concerts were among "subtle attacks of the evil one," in an apparent reference to Satan. Back in 2012, the bishop also opposed Lady GaGa's concert in Manila as the work of Satan.
80 percent of the Philippine population of more than 100 million are Roman Catholics and the church has strong influence, blocking legislation on the death penalty, divorce and same-sex marriage.
Catholic authorities in Singapore also expressed grave concern as the "Like a Prayer" songstress is set to perform on Sunday. "It is our moral obligation not to support those who denigrate and insult religions, including anti-Christian and immoral values promoted by the secular world," Singapore Archbishop William Goh posted on the archdiocese website.
Representative for Madonna hasn't commented on the issue yet. The "Like a Virgin" singer arrived in Manila on Monday, February 22 and visited Catholic-run orphanages, including one of the oldest, near the presidential palace.
