The Episcopal Conference of Colombia expressed its displeasure following statements made by President Gustavo Petro. In them, the president claimed that Jesus had sexual relations with Mary Magdalene and died surrounded by women. In its statement, the bishops pointed out that for those who follow the teachings of the Church, Jesus Christ is not only historically relevant, but "His name is Holy and His person not only has the importance of a historical figure, but also demands the respect and worship with which the True God is treated". The Conference reminded that Colombian law guarantees religious freedom and obliges the State to protect the beliefs of citizens. In this regard, it cited the 1991 Constitution, the 2011 C-817 ruling of the Constitutional Court, and Law 133 of 1994, and stated that "no official or other person is called to issue theological concepts about the religious or doctrinal convictions of citizens". The bishops emphasized that the Public Power has the obligation to protect people in their beliefs and maintain harmonious relations with the various religious denominations present in the country. "We invite everyone to read the Gospels assiduously and to review the teachings of the Catechism of the Catholic Church," and those who question the figure of Christ to "inform themselves from the objective sources of the Gospels and to avoid any lightness in this regard," they concluded.
