CBCP calls Pura Luka Vega's 'Ama Namin' performance 'blasphemous'

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is among those who were not in favor of Filipino drag queen Pura Luka Vega's performance to a remixed version of "Ama Namin."

In JP Soriano's report on "24 Oras," Thursday, CBCP spokesperson Fr. Jerome Secillano said that the performance is a mockery of religion.

"'Yung mga religious elements or sacred elements ng religion hindi mo naman ginagamit for secular purposes," he said. "Nakita natin doon sa ginawang pagsasayaw, merrymaking, performance, nagsisigawan 'yung mga nakapaligid, kinukuhanan ng video."

"It's bordering on profanity also and even blasphemous, a sacrilegious," he added.

He also expressed disappointment in the way the prayer was sung.

"That is the prayer taught by Christ himself, so hindi mo dapat ginamit 'yun na ganun ganun lang na sumasayaw ka ini-entertain mo yung mga tao," he said.

"Yung freedom of expression it's not absolute, if you're adversely affecting the other party then you should tone down yourself," he added.

Bataan 1st District Representative Geraldine Roman, the first transgender woman elected to the Philippine Congress, joined those who objected to Pura's performance.

"The mismong figure ng Jesus Christ at saka 'yung Lord's Prayer a-anuhin mo nang ganun hindi tama 'yun, para kang nananadya yan. Ang masakit dito, nalilihis 'yung usapin from plain disrespect for the religious sensibility of other people nalilihis napupunta sa gender issue," she said.

In an exclusive interview with GMA News Online, Pura Luka Vega said that her "intent was to embody a version of Christ that is one with the queer audience."

According to the drag queen, the "Ama Namin" remix wasn't meant to be disrespectful and that the song is her way to reconcile her Catholic faith with her queerness, and performing it in public is an "embodiment of God's love for all."

"I just want to create a narrative that despite all of these, Jesus, as the embodiment of God's love for all, does not forget about the oppressed, including the LGBTQIA+ community," she added.

On Twitter Thursday afternoon, Pura also said she understood "that people call my performance blasphemous, offensive or regrettable."

"However, they shouldn't tell me how I practice my faith or how I do my drag. That performance was not for you to begin with. It is my experience and my expression, of having been denied my rights," she said.

Pura Luka Vega was among the cast of the first season of "Drag Den Philippines," where she placed eighth.

—Carby Basina/MGP, GMA Integrated News