Philippine bishops urge new president to oppose contraceptive mentality

(July 13,2010) The Bishops of the Philippines have urged the new President to oppose the contraceptive mentality. At the conclusion of its annual meeting on Sunday,the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines called on President Benigno Aquino III, to listen to the call of the Philippine Church and oppose the former program of the government, to promote a contraceptive mentality through education and medical practices, as it is immoral. They said it will not bring about a people that is God-fearing, holding on to the sacredness of life and the family. The new President Aquino III assumed office on June 30.
Speaking on behalf of his brother bishops, Bishop Nereo Odchimar of Tandag, the president of the bishops’ conference noted that the media has shown a particular concern on sex education and reproductive health bills. The prelate said there are no changes in the stand of the Church. For the Church, human life is a gift of God and has to be respected and protected from conception till natural death. He said the Church is always concerned with the poor, and the many church institutions and groups that help the poor, bear this out. The Bishop said poverty cannot be solved by promoting contraceptive education and programs. Education does not merely deal with knowledge and skills, rather it must promote the right values, he added.