MANILA, July 14, 2011—And the fight against the reproductive health (RH) bill continues.
Now that Senate has cleared the seven Catholic bishops from the PCSO controversy, the Church will bring back its focus in fighting the birth control measure.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said several activities are lined up in the Church’s campaign against the proposed reproductive health (RH) bill.
“The fight against the RH bill continues,” said Figura, CBCP secretary general.
He said preparations are being made for the July 25 Humanae Vitae’s 43rd year, the landmark encyclical by Pope Paul VI that deals with the Church’s uncompromising stand on birth control.
But since the date fall on the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Benigno Aquino III, the celebration will be held in advance.
“We’ll be doing activities a week before that just to stay away from the SONA,” said Figura.
Aside from Humanae Vitae, the Church is also marking the 20th anniversary of Familiaris Consortio (The Role of Christian family), an apostolic exhortation written by Pope John Paul II.
The document describes the church’s position concerning the meaning and role of marriage and the family, and outlines challenges towards realizing that ideal.
The apostolic exhortation also defines marriage "as a personal union in which the spouses reciprocally give and receive."
The document restates the opposition to artificial birth control stated earlier in Humanae Vitae, and (briefly) mentions opposition to abortion.
During the bishops’ plenary assembly last week, Pope Benedict XVI urged them to continue protect the sanctity of life and marriage.
CBCP President and Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar earlier said that they will continue to speak out against the RH bill as this is their duty to the people.
“We are the last bastion standing against the RH bill, divorce and now there is also the possibility of same-sex marriage and we won’t be surprised if after that would come euthanasia,” he said. [CBCPNews]
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