Activities in NCR were conducted in partnership with the Forum for Family Panning and Development, Reproductive Health Advocacy Network (RHAN), PAMAC-Q (Pasay, Manila, Caloocan, Quezon City), and ZOTO (Zone One Tondo Organization).
Sta. Cruz Parish Priest Relucatantly Gives Catholic RH Advocates CommunionThe Catholics for Reproductive Health (C4RH) is a national movement of discerning Catholics who believe that reproductive health (RH) is a human right. C4RH aims to bring Catholics into full harmony with their faith and their advocacy for reproductive health and rights. RH should not divide us but instead unite us as a community of faithful working to alleviate the suffering particularly of the poor. We, therefore, stand by the majority of the Filipino people in believing that the government should provide reproductive health programs and services that aims to let women and couples the chance and choice of managing their families, and to educate our young people in strengthening their values and developing skills for responsible decision-making.
On Holy Tuesday, April 3, 2012, C4RH members in Metro Manila embarked on Visita Iglesia sa Semana Santa, the traditional pilgrimage of the Filipino Catholic to different churches. The group visited 7 churches in Manila to pray and reflect on Christ’s passion on the Cross as He redeemed humanity from sins and sufferings. It was not a political rally and no media personnel were invited and no ads were placed in newspapers or radio to advertise the event. A simple word of mouth among the advocates and personal invitations only were given. And still more than 60 Catholic RH advocates came to pray, reflect and bear witness to the 15 Stations of the Cross. It was a solemn occasion for us to practice our faith. It was a time for us, members of C4RH, to pray that our Church become a true Church of the people that listens and responds to the desperate voices of women and children in clamoring for reproductive health care. The absence of a national policy on RH has taken a heavy toll on the health and well-being of many mothers and their families, not to mention the increasing number of young people who need proper information and guidance in taking care of their bodies and lives. Instead of facilitating the deliverance of women and young people’s sufferings due to lack of RH information and services, the institutional leadership of the Roman Catholic Church would rather play up the “moral guilt”. As such, C4RH calls on the Church to be true to its sacred mission of leading its members towards salvation—both from spiritual and temporal deprivations. The conduct of the Visita Iglesia was peaceful, prayerful, and respectful. C4RH members silently entered each church and prayed for about 15 minutes for their personal intentions. Then they gathered around the Stations of the Cross that we assigned to the church to listen to the reading from the bible (Pagbasa), sharing of the community reflection (Pagninilay), and praying as a community of faithful (Panalanging –bayan). We were respectful of other people by allowing those who were ahead of us at the Stations to finish their prayers first before we say our own. We were also conscious not to disrupt any ongoing ceremony inside the church as we wait for the mass to end before we do our rounds. It was also a chance for us to hear the mass together. In churches where the Stations were placed outside, then we also went outside. We followed the traditions and the rules. We were even prepared to do the prayer outside should the priest and the church gatekeepers find our presence offensive. But what could be offensive to them? Out of the 7 churches that we visited, it was only in the Sta. Cruz Church that we were castigated by the priest during the noontime mass. Apparently, he found our purple C4RH t-shirts which had our tagline “I am a Catholic. I support the right to reproductive health” printed at the back of the shirts not only disturbing but sinful. Some of the C4RH members were taunted by the priest during the communion as having no shame. A mother from Tondo was called by the priest and said “Oy, mahiya-hiya ka naman, magkukumunyon ka pa (Hey, shame on you, you have the nerve to have a communion)!” which was heard by many waiting in line. Another mother from UP Diliman Campus was belittled by the priest by asking, “O, saan mo dinala yan?” as if the community leader didn’t know what the Host was for and what the communion was all about. There were other inappropriate comments made by the priest to show his hostile attitude towards our members. Apparently deeply disturbed by our t-shirts, the priest even asked a young member from Caloocan to remove his shirt inside the church while lining up to accept the communion! Fortunately the young person had good sense and immediately left the line. Not content with shaming C4RH members, the priest castigated us during his supposed to be ‘message of hope and goodwill’ just before the end of the mass. The message of the “go in peace…” send-off for the faithful was completely lost to us at that time. Lent was supposed to be a time for reflection and forgiveness… for tolerance and compassion. The Sta. Cruz priest may not have gotten this but our community women and youth certainly did. They were hurt, of course, but that did not discourage them from pursuing what they believe is right and just. In the words of one mother, “Hindi naman si Father ang nanganganak. Ano ang alam niya sa pagpapalaki ng maraming anak? Kung hindi sa family planning at reproductive health ng center namin, baka umabot sa 12 ang anak ko!” During the Visita Iglesia, we wore our purple C4RH t-shirts for practical purposes. It allowed us to easily identify our members amidst large crowd and gather them together to make sure that no one is lost or left behind. If the Sta. Cruz Church priest found it offensive, some did not and even asked where they could get one for themselves. Our quick answer was: be Catholic, be informed, be critical, and support the right to reproductive health (and be a C4RH member). Usapang Sekswalidad:
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