Family planning is toughest challenge, says bishop

MANILA: The head of the influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) admitted that the family planning bill pending in Congress remains the group’s toughest challenge despite the scandal involving some of its members who received as “donations” expensive sport utility vehicles from a government agency.

In a news article posted on the CBCP website, Bishop Nereo Odchimar acknowledged the support of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino for the measure, also known as the reproductive health bill, has made the challenge extremely difficult.

Odchimar recalled that Aquino’s support stands in sharp contrast to that of his predecessor former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, a devout Catholic, who opposed the bill.

In addition, Odchimar said the CBCP is confronted with yet another challenge, referring to a bill also filed before the House of Representatives by family planning proponents which aims to legalise divorce.

The proponents pointed out that the Philippines is now the only country in the world which does not allow divorce after residents of Cyprus approved in a recent referendum its legalization.

Aquino, considered the country’s most eligible bachelor at age 51, emphasised he opposed divorce but stood firm in his stand for family planning which put him at loggerheads with the CBCP.

The bill mandates the government to adopt a national policy to help reduce the country’s annual population growth of two per cent, considered one of the highest in Asia and the world.

In its just released report, the United Nations Population Fund reported that as of 2011, there are now 94 million Filipinos, making the Philippines the world’s 12th most populous nation.

To help defuse the “population bomb,” Aquino has advocated the use of government funds and resources to purchase and distribute “artificial” contraceptives like the Pill and condom especially to poor couples to help them plan the number of their children.

But the CBCP which is closely adhering to the Vatican teaching has vehemently opposed government purchase of artificial contraceptives which it considers as “sin” because these cause abortion and thus, violate the commandment of the Almighty. –Manolo B.Jara, http://gulftoday.ae/portal/65dd7cdd-c937-4b92-bc1a-33cbecde86f5.aspx