Il Nuovo Postiglione - Colombian president angers churches with Jesus sex comments

On Tuesday, Petro said in a speech that Jesus had "made love," "perhaps with Mary Magdalene," a disciple of his teachings.

"A man like that could not exist without love," the president said, adding that Jesus "died surrounded by women who loved him, and there were many."

While Colombia is constitutionally secular, a vast majority identify as Catholic or Christian.

Jesus is widely thought to have never married and to have lived a chaste life.

The Evangelical Confederation of Colombia, which represents evangelical and Protestant churches, said Petro's statements "distort historical, biblical and theological truth" and accused him of showing a "lack of respect."

The Catholic Church's Episcopal Conference, for its part, called for "respect, non-interference, and the protection of people in their beliefs" and urged politicians to steer clear of "theological" statements.

Petro, who identifies as a non-practicing Catholic, went to Catholic school and has express his admiration for "liberation theology" -- a school of Christian thought focused on uplifting the poor and marginalized.

T.Cusumano--INP