Colombia president ordered to apologize in secularism case

A Colombian judge has ordered President Abelardo de la Espriella to apologize for breaching state secularism by including religious preaching at his inauguration.

A Bogota court ruled that De la Espriella must apologize for “violating the religious neutrality of the State” during a radio and television address. The speech is due by September 30 at 7:00 pm local time.

The court order also requires the president to issue a directive telling officials to respect and ensure respect for religious neutrality at all public events.

De la Espriella took office earlier this month in Cali rather than before Congress in Bogota. His inauguration included a Jewish rabbi, a Catholic priest and an evangelical pastor, as well as hymns, prayers, praise of Israel and an altar to the Virgin of Fatima.

Colombia's constitution is secular. De la Espriella identified as an atheist before running for president, but began professing a strong faith in “Judeo-Christian principles” during his campaign. His cabinet includes several evangelical Christian figures, and his government has passed a decree allowing churches to help shape public education.

The political opposition has criticized his government for engaging in culture wars and warned that the right-wing administration wants to roll back LGBTQ rights and promote traditional family roles for women and men.