15 bishops lead 12,000 in rally vs House bill
By Kristine L. Alave
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:35:00 07/26/2008
MANILA, Philippines—Some 12,000 faithful joined leaders of the Catholic Church on Friday for a prayer rally in Manila to reaffirm their commitment to a Vatican decree against artificial birth control.
A mild rain did not dampen the fervor of the participants, some of whom came from nearby provinces, in denouncing the reproductive health (RH) bill pending in the House of Representatives, which seeks to make available to couples a choice on family planning methods.
They were joined by at least 15 bishops and archbishops at a Mass and vigil at the University of Santo Tomas parade grounds—a reminder to lawmakers that the Church will not drop the fight against the RH bill endorsed by the Philippine Legislative Council for Population and Development.
Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales and Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), attended the prayer rally to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Humanae Vitae, Pope Paul VI’s Encyclical on the Regulation of Birth.
Government officials such as Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza and Parañaque City Representatives Roilo Golez and Eduardo Zialcita were present.
A surprise guest, boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, who came with Atienza, gave the first testimony at the start of the gathering.
“Had my parents practiced birth control, there would be no Manny Pacquiao. I was my parents’ fourth child,” he told the cheering assembly.
“Let’s follow the teachings of God. It is in the Bible to go forth and multiply. Let’s follow that,” he said.
Organizers expressed satisfaction with the turnout of the faithful, who came to Manila in busloads. Some of the attendees were members of lay groups like El Shaddai, Couples for Christ, Christian Family Movement and pastoral organizations.
Police and organizers estimated the turnout at around 12,000 as of 3 p.m.
“We are very glad that they are all here so we can instill awareness in the public,” said Fr. Melvin Castro, one of the organizers.
Addressed to lawmakers
Archbishop Paciano Aniceto of San Fernando, Pampanga, said the prayer rally should convince lawmakers, especially those still undecided on what stance to take regarding the RH bill, that it was unnecessary and would harm Philippine society in the long run.
Aniceto chairs the CBCP Commission on Family and Life, the group that organized the prayer rally.
“We pray that they change their minds. They are also trying to weigh matters,” Aniceto told reporters. “The first-termers, for example, they don’t have much lawmaking experience and they are not really aware of the backgrounds and certain issues in Congress, like this [RH bill]. This is destroying the family, which is the foundation of all government and civilization.”
Archbishop Lagdameo said there was hope that legislators would not let the bill pass the House after the prayer rally.
“I hope they don’t rush it. There’s still a chance that they will have a change of heart,” he said.
Aniceto said the show of force should also convince President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to include the RH issue in her State of the Nation Address on Monday.
He said he hoped that Ms Arroyo would make a firm commitment to follow the CBCP line on the issue, which is based on Humanae Vitae.
“I hope she reaffirms the sanctity of life, that the foundation of a strong republic is a strong family,” he said.
Attitude change
In his homily, Lagdameo called for a “change in attitude” in society.
He assailed RH advocates batting for the widespread distribution of contraceptives, saying this was a form of selfishness.
“We need a change of attitude. The attitude of ‘what is mine is mine absolutely and I can do with it as I wish,’ or the belief that ‘my money entitles me to consume or control on my own terms as much as my money will buy’ is not permissible anymore,” Lagdameo said.
He reiterated that population control was not the key to progress, and that the poor would be better off if the government ensured that the funds for their welfare were not diverted to the pockets of a few.
Testimonials
The prayer rally served as an occasion for the Catholic faithful to express their views on the heated debate over the RH bill between lawmakers and Church officials.
Debbie and Francis Rodrigo, the parents of four “intentional” boys and members of Couples for Christ, said they practiced natural family planning as a sign of their commitment to their faith.
While they admitted that life could be hard with four children, the Rodrigos said they considered their sons as blessings.
“It is not without difficulties. There are many financial, emotional, physical and spiritual sacrifices,” Francis Rodrigo said.
He said he and his wife got their strength to raise their boys from their community and their Catholic faith.
Joey and Tess Gavilangan of Sta. Monica, Tondo, one of the densest communities in Manila, said they had been practicing natural family planning for two years now and that it had “deepened” their relationship.
They said the perception that the poor were being victimized by the government’s refusal to distribute artificial contraceptives was unfair.
“At first, we were worried about using natural family planning. After we studied it at the San Carlos Seminary for 12 weeks, our belief that it was the right thing to do strengthened,” Joey Gavilangan said.
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