VIDAL: I'LL 'BREAK THE LAW' IF RH BILL IS ENACTED / BISHOP CRUZ'S LAMENT
CEBU CITY, OCTOBER 18, 2010 (BULLETIN) His Eminence, Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal in his homily during the farewell mass for the International Pilgrim Image of Our Lady of Fatima last Wednesday, declared that he will "break the law" once the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill is enacted into law.
The Cebu prelate reiterated his strong stand against the controversial bill and assured the faithful that he will continue to criticize the bill if it becomes a law "even if it means dragging me to jail."
Vidal, before a crowd of nearly 10,000 devotees who attended the mass inside the Cebu City Sports Complex, said he is willing to be incarcerated, stressing, "God forbid but if they succeed (in legislating the RH Bill into law), I would be the first to go to jail because I will break the law. We're not supposed to talk against it once it becomes a law but I am wiling to go to jail because I will continue to talk about and go against it."
The Cardinal asked those who attended the mass if they were willing to go with him to jail for his criticism of the controversial bill. The crowd roared, mostly in the affirmative.
Still, Vidal admitted that not all of the provisions in the RH Bill are anti-life. For instance, he cited a provision proposing health care for mothers and children. "What we oppose is the legalization of abortion and the use of contraceptives," said the Cardinal, who had earlier told lawmakers supporting the Bill not to take Holy Communion.
Regarding the "controversial move to deny Holy Communion to those legislators who are actively pushing for the enactment into law the proposal to legalize abortion, I would like to clarify that the call is actually a reminder to the conscience of all that abortion is a grave moral evil and therefore, anyone who effectively allows or intends its commission is a cooperator in the murder of an innocent human life."
The 79-year-old prelate expressed grief over a number of Roman Catholic senators and congressmen who, he said, "are trying hard to endorse and enact said bill into a law, for the sake of funds."
Still in his homily, Vidal told the faithful that "with the Blessed Virgin Mary, let us stand up for what is right as taught by the Church; let us stand up for what is right, even if we stand alone."
In an interview after the mass, Vidal disclosed that he had reiterated his opposition against the RH bill when he met with President Benigno Aquino recently in Manila.
He said he told the President that if the Bill becomes a law, "we cannot preach against it anymore because the Council and the Church will be silenced due to sanctions."
The Cardinal said his last visit to the President was his way of returning the latter's courtesy call to him when the President was in Cebu last September 15.
Cruz lament: Where has Catholic voice gone?
(MALAYA) RETIRED Archbishop Oscar Cruz yesterday lamented how Catholics have managed to stay silent even at a time when the strongest criticisms are being hurled against their religion, particularly on the issue of reproductive health and family planning.
"Truth to say, in this particular case, the silence of these well spread Catholic organizations was deafening. They were almost all so peaceful and at ease during such a shameful episode in their Church," said Cruz, former president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.
"Oh, yes, Churches are full on Sundays. People frequent novenas and processions in honor of their favorite saints. But their faith appears both eclectic and superficial while their morals remain juvenile," he added.
He compared the silence of Filipino Catholics to "well-concerted efforts" of those who have been pushing for a stop to the Church meddling, as a follow up to the act of tourist guide and RH bill advocate Carlos Celdran three weeks ago.
"It is definitely amazing how such a notably well-concerted effort could be staged - fast and effective - saying but one and only substantive and loud shout, viz: Shut up CBCP! Step aside Church! Shame on you Churchmen! Angry texts and bitter calls suddenly invaded the tri-media. There were even lighting rallies made here and there - all denouncing the supposedly Church doctrine thus perceived, shouting the shameful sins of the clergy, and most of all, cursing the CBCP for its alleged dictatorial nature and pursuant stance," he said.
On September 30, Celdran made a scene during the second anniversary celebration of the "May They Be One" Bible campaign at the Manila Cathedral.
Walking at the center aisle to the altar, Celdran hoisted a placard bearing the word "DAMASO" while repeatedly shouting that the Church stop "involving yourself in politics."
The CBCP is the most vocal opponent of the RH bill which allows the use of artificial contraceptives like condoms and pills. - Gerard Naval
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