Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Manila (Agenzia Fides) – The Aquino Government has expressed its desire to continue dialogue with the Bishops on the controversial bill on family policy and population control that is before Parliament. Fides sources in the Church in the Philippines, who yesterday threatened to abandon the negotiating table, hoping that “the dialogue will continue for the good of the nation.” The Government says that the Minister for Health, Enrique Ona, is drafting a new document entitled “Document on Responsible Parenthood”, which will be submitted to Congress, replacing the previous “Document on Reproductive Health”. The new text should present information on natural and artificial methods of contraception, allowing freedom of choice.
Yesterday, 1 February, the Filipino Bishops issued a Pastoral Letter, signed by the President of the Episcopal Conference, Bishop Nereo Ochimar, entitled “Choose life, reject the Document on Reproductive Health.” The Letter reiterates the absolute “no” to the Document, pointing out the articles in the Constitution where the State recognizes the duty of protecting the family, the mother and the unborn.
“We are at a turning point for the nation,” notes the Letter. “Before us there are different versions of the Document on Reproductive Health or the Document on Responsible Parenthood. However, this Document, in all its versions, invites us to make a choice: to choose life or to choose death.”
The Bishops note that this Document makes a strong attack on human values, on the values of Filipino culture and “does not respect the moral sense.” Instead, it is the product of a secularist and materialistic vision, which is gaining momentum in Filipino society.
The Pastoral Letter refutes all the arguments of those who defend the Document. The Document promotes contraception and is therefore against human life; it does not reduce the rate of abortions or help prevent the spread of AIDS (it has already been shown in countries such as Thailand that the distribution of condoms has increased the number of AIDS cases); it is not the right path to addressing the problem of overpopulation and poverty. Therefore, the Bishops call for its immediate withdrawal from debate by the Filipino Congress, urging lawmakers “to consider the dignity conferred by God on man and the value of human life.” The Church said, finally, that it is prepared to withdraw its delegation from the negotiating table with the Government if these demands are not heeded. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 2/2/2011)
