A claim by Colombia's left-wing president that Jesus "made love" to disciple Mary Magdalene has shocked the country's many Christians, with the faithful urging him to show respect Friday.
During a recent speech, Gustavo Petro claimed that a man like Jesus "could not exist without love" and that he "died surrounded by women who loved him, and there were many."Â
Petro insisted that Jesus "made love", "perhaps with Mary Magdalene" -- one of his disciples.Â
Christian doctrine holds that Jesus never married and lived a life of chastity.Â
Petro's foray into theology has angered the clergy and left Colombia's many Christians scratching their heads.Â
Bogota Christian Benjamin Gonzalez told AFP that Petro had gone "against the Church and against all churches" and "spoke against a very sacred being, our Lord Jesus Christ."
Jesus is revered by Christians as the son of god and savior of the world.Â
Another Bogota Christian, Victor Pardo, told AFP the comments were "not appropriate for the president".Â
While Colombia is constitutionally secular, most people identify as Catholic or belong to other Christian denominations.Â
The Evangelical Confederation of Colombia said Petro's remarks "distort historical, biblical and theological truth" and accused him of showing a "lack of respect."Â
The country's major Catholic group also urged "respect, non‑interference, and the protection of people in their beliefs."Â
The Episcopal Conference asked politicians to avoid issuing "theological" statements in public.Â
Petro, a non‑practicing Catholic educated in Catholic schools, has praised liberation theology, a movement centered on uplifting the poor and challenging traditional structures of power.
The controversy has ignited national debate in a country where religious identity remains strong and statements about Jesus carry significant cultural weight.Â
The debate continued to rage Friday, with opposition presidential candidate Vicky Davila calling Petro's remarks a "provocation".
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...EXTREME COLD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST SUNDAY...
...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CST SATURDAY...
* WHAT...For the Extreme Cold Warning, dangerously cold wind chills
as low as 3 above expected. For the Wind Advisory, northwest winds
15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph expected.
* WHERE...Autauga, Bibb, Blount, Chilton, Dallas, Etowah, Fayette,
Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lamar, Lowndes, Marengo, Marion, Perry,
Pickens, Shelby, St. Clair, Sumter, Tuscaloosa, Walker, and
Winston Counties.
* WHEN...For the Extreme Cold Warning, until noon CST Sunday. For
the Wind Advisory, until 9 PM CST Saturday.
* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Trees
could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Frostbite
and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin is exposed to these
temperatures. An extended period of subfreezing temperatures could
cause pipes to burst.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high
profile vehicles. Use extra caution.
Secure outdoor objects.
Dress in layers including a hat, face mask, and gloves if you must
go outside.
Keep pets indoors as much as possible.
Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure
portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills
inside.
To prevent freezing and possible bursting of pipes they should be
wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly.
&&
...EXTREME COLD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST SUNDAY...
...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CST SATURDAY...
* WHAT...For the Extreme Cold Warning, dangerously cold wind chills
as low as 3 above expected. For the Wind Advisory, northwest winds
15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph expected.
* WHERE...Autauga, Bibb, Blount, Chilton, Dallas, Etowah, Fayette,
Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lamar, Lowndes, Marengo, Marion, Perry,
Pickens, Shelby, St. Clair, Sumter, Tuscaloosa, Walker, and
Winston Counties.
* WHEN...For the Extreme Cold Warning, until noon CST Sunday. For
the Wind Advisory, until 9 PM CST Saturday.
* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Trees
could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Frostbite
and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin is exposed to these
temperatures. An extended period of subfreezing temperatures could
cause pipes to burst.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high
profile vehicles. Use extra caution.
Secure outdoor objects.
Dress in layers including a hat, face mask, and gloves if you must
go outside.
Keep pets indoors as much as possible.
Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure
portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills
inside.
To prevent freezing and possible bursting of pipes they should be
wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly.
&&
Currently in Selma
27°
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12 PM
28°
1 PM
29°
2 PM
30°
3 PM
31°
4 PM
31°
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