CATHOLIC bishops on Saturday voted as their leader a colleague who once likened the supporters of family planning to terrorists.
The election of Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma to the presidency of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines came amid growing friction between the administration of President Benigno Aquino III and the prelates over family planning and an ongoing corruption probe that has ensnared seven bishops.
A Palace spokesman on Sunday said the administration would observe “the frame of mind” of the new leader, but the government remained open to a dialog.
“We have always been open to continuing the dialog with them,” presidential deputy spokesman Abigail Valte said.
“We will have to see what will be the frame of mind of the new CBCP leadership.”
In June, Palma said the lawmakers supporting the reproductive health bill being debated in Congress were no better than terrorists because the measure would result in the death of innocents.
The Catholic Church, which opposes all forms of artificial birth control, has led a fierce campaign against the reproductive health bill, including a warning from the outgoing CBPC president, Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar, that the President might be excommunicated for supporting family planning.
The bill says abortion is illegal, but the bishops have called it “anti-life.”
Palma will succeed Odchimar whose terms ends on Nov. 30.
At the opening ceremony of the CBCP’s 103rd plenary session on Saturday, Odchimar read a one-page letter from Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone on Pope Benedict XVI’s reminder to the Filipino bishops to remain firm in their opposition to the reproductive health bill.
“[The Holy Father] encourages the bishops in their efforts in defense of the value of each human life, of the sacredness of marriage, and of the family,” Bertone said.
It was under Odchimar’s term that the Aquino administration initiated talks with the Catholic bishops to discuss the President’s own responsible parenthood bill, a watered-down version of the reproductive health bill. –Joyce Pangco Pañares, Manila Standard Today
Nov 16 – International Day for Tolerance
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November
Nov 2 – Intl Day to End Impunity for
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Nov 9 – World Science Day for Peace
and Development
Nov 16 – International Day for Tolerance
Nov 19 – World Toilet Day
Nov 20 – World Children’s Day
Nov 25 – Intl Day for the Elimination of
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National Consciousness Month
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National Children’s Month
Organic Agriculture Month
Weekly Observances:
Nov 19-25: Global Warming and
Climate Change Consciousness Week
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Population and Development Week
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18-Day Campaign to End
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Week 2: Week 3: Drug Abuse Prevention
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Last Week: Safety and Accident
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Daily Observances:
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Nov 19: National Child Health Day
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