 |
| Bishop Gabriel Reyes |
Chairman
of Episcopal Commission on Family and Life and Antipolo Bishop Gabriel Reyes
said the Congress’ approval on Monday of the reproductive health (RH) bill on
third and final reading is a “sad day for the country.”
The
House of Representatives passed the contentious RH bill 133-79 with seven
abstentions.
Besides reiterating the harmful consequences of the RH bill to women’s health and sanctity of the family, Reyes also lamented Malacañang’s hand in the passage of the law.
“What
is very sad also is that Malacañang has pressured our congressmen to vote yes.
Had
Malacañang not pressured our congressmen in second reading, we would have won,
majority is for the truth,” Reyes said.
The
bishop decried what he said was an act of corruption on the part of Malacañang
by pressuring congressmen and dangling pork barrel in exchange for their vote.
But
Reyes assured that the Church will remain in its commitment to educate the
people on the evils of contraceptives.
The
Church will continue to talk to people about family values and the harmful
consequences of contraceptives, he said.
Reyes
said congressmen “who remain steadfast with their No [vote] despite the
pressure of Malacanang,” deserve to be congratulated.
And
“for those who voted yes, we do not make a hate campaign,” he added.
From
‘reactive to pro-active’
Even
with the passage of the RH bill the Church’s mission remains the same,
according to Msgr. Clemente Ignacio, rector of the Shrine of Black Nazarene in
Quiapo.
He
said the Church “will continue to preach for life, about the sanctity of
marriage, about helping the poor, to help alleviate their situation.”
“The
Church will only shift from being reactive to the RH bill to being proactive in
teaching our people especially the grass roots, also in being faithful to the
Church teachings,” Ignacio said.
“Let
us not judge those who have voted for the RH bill. They have their own
convictions [and] own views on the issue. We do not know where they are coming
from. It only shows that there are many things the Church has to do with
regards to this. They are our brothers and sisters even if they are on the
other side,” Ignacio said further.
Malolos
Bishop Jose Oliveros, Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias and CBCP
secretary-general Msgr. Joselito Asis were also in Congress to give support and
boost the morale of the anti- RH solons.
Senate
on Monday also passed its own version of the RH bill on third and final reading
with 13 voting Yes and 8 against it. (CBCPNews)
No comments:
Post a Comment