Abelardo de la Espriella offers public apologies for violating religious neutrality during his presidential inauguration.

President Abelardo de la Espriella issued a public apology for his presidential inauguration on August 7, which a court ruled violated the principle of religious neutrality. The Fifth Labor Court of Bogota's Circuit ordered the president to offer public apologies for the inclusion of a religious space for "invocation and praise," the participation of various religious representatives, and the presence of the image of the Virgin of Fatima.

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President Abelardo de la Espriella defended his right to publicly express his faith as a Catholic while acknowledging the separation of church and state. He stated that the ceremony was part of the agenda approved by the Congress, and he did not order the specific religious elements. He committed to maintain religious freedoms for all citizens during his term, ensuring that people can practice any religion or none at all.

Sources

• El Espectador
  Presidencia también pide revocar fallo que asegura que se vulneró neutralidad religiosa
• caracol.com.co
  Abelardo De La Espriella ofreció disculpas por vulnerar neutralidad religiosa: “Viva Cristo Rey”

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Paywall and unreadable sources

• La Silla Vacía
  Presidencia y Senado impugnan tutela por acto religioso en posesión
• El Tiempo
  Gobierno De La Espriella presentó oficialmente la impugnación a tutela que le ordenó pedir disculpas por acto religioso en posesión presidencial
• semana.com
  “Viva Cristo Rey”: Abelardo De La Espriella impugnará fallo de un juez que le ordenó ofrecer “disculpas” por supuestamente vulnerar la “neutralidad religiosa”