The Catholic Church in Colombia has issued a strong rebuke against President Gustavo Petro, calling for respect for religious freedom and faith following controversial remarks the President made regarding the sexuality and divinity of Jesus Christ.
The Episcopal Conference of Colombia (CEC) released an official statement on Jan. 28, reaffirming Catholic doctrine and urging civil authorities to refrain from issuing theological judgments.
The bishops said in a statement: “No civil authority is called to issue judgments of a theological nature on the beliefs of citizens.”
Petro made controversial remarks about Jesus Christ
The controversy stems from a speech President Petro delivered on Jan. 27 during the reopening of the San Juan de Dios Hospital in Bogota. During an intervention that lasted more than four hours, President Petro speculated on the personal life of Jesus Christ.
During his remarks, the president claimed, “Jesus made love, yes, maybe with Mary Magdalene, because a man like that without love could not exist. And the woman supported him until the last moment.”
🚨 La Conferencia Episcopal de Colombia rechazó las declaraciones del presidente Gustavo Petro, luego de que afirmara que Jesús y María Magdalena habrían tenido una relación íntima. La Iglesia calificó sus palabras como inapropiadas y expresó su desacuerdo con esa interpretación.… pic.twitter.com/RpnlcSmWDR
— EL TIEMPO (@ELTIEMPO) January 29, 2026
Petro further distinguished between the historical figure and the religious title. Petro also said that he does not call Jesus ‘Christ’ because “Christ is a Greek term that altered his message.”
The president also characterized Jesus as a political figure. Through his remarks, Petro said, “They turned Christ into power and king, and he never was; he was a man of light, truth, and revolution, that is why they killed him.”
The Church’s response
The Episcopal Conference responded by emphasizing that for believers, Jesus cannot be reduced to a mere historical character or moral reference.
In the statement, the bishops noted that “His name is Holy and his person reveals not only the importance of the historical character, but also demands the respect and adoration with which the True God is treated.” The Church leaders argued that while Colombia is a secular state, this secularism does not grant a license to delegitimize religious beliefs.
The statement emphasized that “Colombia, as a social state of law and secular, has the duty to guarantee respect for the religious convictions of citizens.” The statement cited the 1991 Political Constitution and statutory laws regarding religious freedom to argue that the state must protect the autonomy of religious confessions. The Conference also emphasized that “The laicity of the state does not imply ignoring or delegitimizing religious beliefs, but ensuring the freedom of everyone to profess and live them without discrimination.”
Calls for reciprocity
The bishops concluded their message by highlighting their respect for civil laws and requesting the same courtesy for their doctrine.
The statement concluded: “Always respectful of the institutions and Colombian laws, we have taught to respect the legitimately constituted authorities … and, for that reason and for the norms of healthy coexistence, we ask that our faith also be respected.”
The Church also exhorted the faithful to consult biblical sources rather than political speeches to understand their faith. The Catholic Church invited those who have doubts about the person of Jesus to “inform themselves in the objective sources of the gospels and to avoid any lightness in this regard.”