[Alfonso]

The phrase is the same in Spanish. We use it to mean hypocrisy, as much as for example: A Dios rogando y con el mazo dando.
In Spain, there is a strong anti-clerical tradition which dates back mainly to 19th century.
Actually, I extracted the phrase from a text of the kind I'm saying. And the attempt of the writer, Clarín, as quite often, was to give notice of the hypocrisy of the Church.