POPE BENEDICT TO FILIPINO BISHOPS: BE FIRM VS RH BILL / POPE: NO TO DIVORCE
MANILA, JULY 11, 2011 (STAR) By Evelyn Macairan - With the debates over the Reproductive Health (RH) bill to be revived once Congress resumes session on July 25, Pope Benedict XVI reminded Filipino bishops to be firm in their position against the bill.
In a one-page letter sent by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone to Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Bishop Nereo Odchimar on the occasion of its 103rd Plenary Assembly, Bertone said:
"The Holy Father was pleased to be informed of the Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines being held in Manila from 9-11 July 2011. He greets all the bishops and assures them of his spiritual closeness."
The letter added: "His Holiness prays that this time for reflection and renewed dedication in the service of the Gospel will bear abundant fruit for the Church and the society. He encourages the bishops in their efforts in defense of the value of each human life, of the sacredness of marriage, and of the family. Entrusting your deliberations to the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church, the Holy Father willingly imparts his Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of peace and joy in our Lord."
CBCP secretary-general Monsignor Juanito Figura was furnished a copy of the letter from the Pontiff.
The Plenary Assembly, held at the Pope Pius Center along United Nations Avenue, Manila, would be attended by active and retired bishops. During the three-day gathering, they would hear the reports of the episcopal commissions and discuss other matters such as the funds given by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to some bishops and, of course, the RH bill.
The CBCP has been a staunch critic of the family planning measure, contending that some of the family planning methods may cause abortion and that it would encourage promiscuity.
Odchimar has said the Church's campaign against the RH bill had been difficult.
"We have been in difficult times which were made more difficult because of the situation and issues being raised," he said.
Bishops have been meeting with lawmakers in their respective dioceses to convince them to withdraw their support for the bill. The CBCP has also launched a website of resource materials on life and family.
FROM MANILA DAILY BULLETIN
Pope: No to RH, divorce By LESLIE ANN G. AQUINOJuly 9, 2011, 6:22pm
MANILA, Philippines — The Catholic Church's campaign against the Reproductive Health (RH) and divorce bills got a big boost after Pope Benedict XVI rallied behind the efforts of bishops to defend the value of human life and sacredness of marriage.
"His Holiness prays that this time for reflection and renewed dedication in the service of the Gospel will bear abundant fruit for the Church and the society," read the message of the Pontiff to Philippine bishops currently attending their 103rd Plenary Assembly in Paco, Manila.
"He encourages the bishops in their efforts in defense of the value of each human life, of the sacredness of marriage, and of the family," it further read.
The Pontiff's letter addressed to CBCP President Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar was signed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.
Odchimar had earlier said that the issue of the RH bill will be included in their bi-annual gathering.
"We will be discussing that because that is the present burning issue and we have to speak out on that," he said in an interview with reporters.
"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," added Odchimar.
The Catholic Church has been opposing the RH bill convinced that it is anti-life and family due to its promotion of artificial contraceptives as a family planning method.
The Church is also against the introduction of divorce in the country for it destroys the marriage bond.
As of Saturday morning, 89 bishops, out of the 138 members of the CBCP, were present during the Plenary Assembly.
Among them are the bishops allegedly involved in the so-called "PCSO fund mess" namely; Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo, Butuan Bishop Juan De Dios Pueblos, Bangued Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian, Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad, and Bontoc Bishop Rodolfo Beltran.
The PCSO had earlier accused some bishops of receiving donations and sports utility vehicles (SUVs) from then President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo allegedly for political patronage.
Expect greater opposition from the Catholic Church when it comes to the issue of the Reproductive Health (RH) bill and divorce bill when Congress resumes its session on July 25.
This after the fight of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) against the said bills got a boost from no less than Pope Benedict XVI himself.
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