Abelardo de la Espriella offers public apologies for religious acts during his inauguration ceremony.
Abelardo de la Espriella offered public apologies on August 30, 2026, for the religious acts included in his inauguration ceremony on August 7, 2026. The apologies were made in response to a judicial ruling by the Fifth Labor Court of the Bogota Circuit, which determined that the ceremony violated the secular character and neutrality of the country. During the inauguration, the ceremony included a formal space for invocation and praise, the presence of leaders from different confessions, and an image of the Virgin of Fatima. The event also featured two Catholic priests, an evangelical pastor, and a rabbi. The judicial ruling ordered both Abelardo de la Espriella and Senate President Honorio Miguel Henrñquez Pinedo to offer public excuses for the act. The court ruled that while public servants may maintain their own freedom of faith in private, they must maintain strict neutrality during official functions. In his address, Abelardo de la Espriella stated that he must protect the freedom of religion of all citizens and avoid new manifestations of this type at official events. He concluded his speech with the phrase, "Que viva Cristo Rey!"
Sources
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Presidente del Senado impugna fallo por ceremonia religiosa en posesión presidencial: esto argumenta | El Colombiano
elcolombiano.com
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Tutela por acto religioso: asesor de De La Espriella dice que se impugnará fallo y plantea cambiar tribunal a cargo
Portafolio.co
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‘Lalis’ anunció tutela contra Abelardo de la Espriella por decir ‘Viva Cristo Rey’ en alocución presidencial: “No sea irrespetuoso”
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