MANILA – Christian groups in the Philippines have strongly denounced the concert of controversial American pop singer Lady Gaga, branding her songs blasphemous and immoral and contrary to the Christian faith.

A priest in the St. Tolentino Parish Church in Tandang Sora, Quezon City in his Sunday homily accused Lady Gaga of promoting Satan and using him as an instrument to promote immorality and the work of the devil in the world.

Christian organizations also aired their vehement protest of Lady Gaga’s two-day concert at the Mall of Asia in suburban Pasay City on May 21-22. 

They said Lady Gaga’s song “Judas” mocks Jesus Christ.

Romy Makalintal, a noted lawyer, also aired his protest on the songs of Lady Gaga.

In an interview over a local radio, Makalintal said lyrics of Lady Gaga’s songs espouse immorality and are therefore unchristian in a country such as the Philippines, which is a Christian nation where more than 80 percent of the population is Catholic.

Makalintal asked that authorities monitor Lady Gaga’s concert closely.  But other Christian groups called for authorities to stop Lady Gaga’s concert.

The American singer arrived in Manila aboard a private jet on the evening of May 19. She came from Taipei where she performed a series of concerts as part of her world tour.

Security was tight in Manila because of protests by various Christian groups who wanted Lady Gaga’s concert cancelled or boycott her show.

From the airport, she headed straight to her hotel at Makati Shangri-La. No press briefing was conducted as burly bodyguards watched intently as Lady Gaga signed autographs for her screaming fans waiting in the hotel lobby.