Bishops remind Aquino of Church’s stand on RH Bill

MANILA, Philippines—Roman Catholic bishops around the country Thursday aired their support for “president-in-waiting” Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III in his promise to fight poverty and corruption, but reminded that the Church’s stand on the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill would never change.

As a senator, Aquino was a known supporter of the controversial bill that sparked several discussions on morality and other issues touched by the failed bill. He later said he was for “responsible parenthood.”

In a statement posted at the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines website, CBCP president and Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar said that though the Church would maintain a “critical collaboration” with Aquino’s forthcoming administration, he maintained that the pro-life advocacy of the church is “non-negotiable.” –Jerome Aning, Angelo Cabrera, Philippine Daily Inquirer