Tito Sotto defends Pope Francis, clarifies disbelief in ‘rabbits’ comparison

Senator Tito Sotto. / INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III defended Pope Francis on Wednesday, saying the latter’s reported statement in the media that Catholics didn’t have to breed like rabbits was “not contrary” to the Church’s teachings.

But Sotto, a staunch opponent of the Reproductive Health Law, stood firm that the Pope was just taken out of context when the media quoted him as saying that Catholics need not be “like rabbits.”

Citing as example a woman who was pregnant with her eighth child, the Pope reportedly said: “This is an irresponsibility. Now I trust in God (they say). But look, God gives you the way, the possibility, to be responsible. Some say that –excuse the word– to be good Catholic, we have to be like rabbits.”

Sotto noted that the Pope used the words “some people think” and not “I think….”

“Besides, that’s not contrary to Catholic teachings. Minamasahe ng iba ‘yung sinabi. Taken out of context,” the senator said.

“The Pope is right!” Sotto added.

The Catholic Church and Sotto strongly opposed the RH Law when it was being debated in Congress.

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