MANILA, Philippines – Despite the staunch opposition of the Catholic Church to the Reproductive Health (RH) bill, there are some priests who support it, a bishop disclosed yesterday. “Well, in the Church, there’s a space for dissent also… Even the 10 commandments, there are many who disobey it, right?” said Pampanga Archbishop
Paciano Aniceto, chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Family and Life, in an interview.
He said these priests have not openly voiced their support for the bill but bishops are aware of their positions.
“We leave it to their conscience. We respect that. But majority are not in favor. I think, in their own moral and theological discernment, we should respect them for that,” Aniceto said.
He said these priests are misguided or lack sufficient knowledge about the provisions of the bill.
“If I were his bishop, I would remind him… perhaps he does not know the aspects of the RH bill. If given thorough explanation and the consequences of this and the effects of this, I think he will be able to change his judgment,” Aniceto said.
The CBCP, the strongest opponent of the bill, is not in favor of provisions in the bill promoting the use of artificial contraceptives.
The Catholic Church only supports the use of natural family planning methods.
President Aquino has reaped the ire of some Church leaders for his persistent campaign to approve the controversial measure in Congress.
Aquino had said he is willing to be excommunicated to prove his support for the bill.
The RH bill is still undergoing plenary debate at the House of Representatives. –Helen Flores (The Philippine Star)
June 2025
Philippine Environment Month!
“Action for Nature, for the Future!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations
against serious violations of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideosturesVideos
Monthly Observances:
1 Jun – World Day of Parents
5 Jun – World Environment Day
7 Jun – World Food Safety Day
8 Jun – World Oceans Day
12 Jun – World Day Against
Child Labour
15 Jun – World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
16 Jun – International Day of Family Remittances
17 Jun – World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
20 Jun – World Refugee Day
25 Jun – Day of the Seafarer
27 Jun – Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day
Daily Observances:
First Saturday of July:
International Cooperative Day
in the Philippines
