Judge Orders President De la Espriella to Apologize for Violating State Religious Neutrality During Inauguration

Judge orders President Abelardo de la Espriella to issue public apologies for actions during his presidential possession ceremony that allegedly violated the state’s religious neutrality. The order, issued by a Bogotá judge, stems from a legal challenge by citizen Omar Alberto Franco Becerra, who claimed his fundamental rights to freedom of conscience and worship were affected.

The judicial ruling scrutinized elements of the August 7 ceremony in Cali, including a space designated for “invocation and praise,” participation of representatives from three religious sectors, and the presence of an image of the Virgin of Fatima. The judge determined these elements disregarded the state’s duty to maintain neutrality in official functions.

While acknowledging that public officials may hold personal religious beliefs, the ruling emphasizes that institutional roles must not align with specific religions or creeds. The judge ruled that President de la Espriella’s actions during the possession ceremony breached this principle, thereby violating the state’s religious neutrality.

The court mandated that the president issue public apologies via radio and television by September 30, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. These apologies must also include a commitment to refrain from conduct favoring the Catholic Church or any other particular denomination.

In addition to the apology, the court ordered the presidency to issue a directive in September 2026 instructing public servants to uphold and ensure respect for the state’s religious neutrality in all official acts. This directive aims to prevent institutional support from being indirectly or directly associated with any religious denomination.

The ruling extends beyond the August 7 ceremony, setting a precedent for future official events. It underscores the importance of maintaining institutional impartiality, as highlighted in Micah 6:8, which calls for acting with justice, mercy, and humility.

The decision also applies to the president of Congress, Honorio Miguel Henríquez Pinedo, who was ordered to address the issue during a plenary session. This broader application reflects the court’s intent to ensure all branches of government uphold the principle of religious neutrality.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Spanish)