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Bishops War on Reproductive HealthPromoting reproductive health is not an open defiance or an all-out war against the Catholic Church. On the contrary, we from the Catholics for Reproductive Health (C4RH) believe that it is consistent with the Catholic value of compassion and principle of social justice.
We are deeply saddened, to say the least, about CBCP’s statement in “declaring war on RH and President Aquino’s pro-RH support”; more so when it uses its position, influence, and resources to pressure our government officials and legislators in opposing the RH bill. It is equally distressing to see that some of our legislators are also playing the game of thrones at the expense of our people; allowing themselves to be intimidated by the so-called “Catholic vote”; and delaying action on or campaigning outright against the RH Bill with the hope of gaining favor and support from the Bishops in the upcoming national elections next year. We urgently remind these elected legislators that they are representatives of and are accountable to the people and not to the bishops. And if there will be a conscience vote, let it be the conscience for the long-suffering women and their families who just wish to improve their lives. There should be no war in promoting reproductive health. Our war should be against injustice, poverty, indifference—and others that contribute to human misery. If the bishops insist on this hard-line position without offering concrete and effective alternatives, they should brace themselves to the real casualties and costs of war against RH: the 15 mothers dying every day due to pregnancy complications, the increasing teenage pregnancies due to lack of scientific sexuality education, the rising cases of HIV infection, not to mention the thousands of poor families who would have wanted better lives had they been given the chance to space their children and plan their families. And when that happens, as it is happening, well-meaning Catholics should not only be sad but enraged! |