MANILA, Philippines—Braving the heat, some 40,000 opponents of the controversial Reproductive Health Bill staged a show of force at the Rizal Park on Friday.
The crowd, coming from Metro Manila and different provinces, began massing as early as 2 p.m. at the Quirino Grandstand for the prayer-for-life rally organized by the country’s Roman Catholic Church.
In a statement read at the rally by Manila AuxiliaryBishop Broderick Pabillo, Vatican Secretary of State Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone, S.D.B., urged Filipinos to firm up in their commitment to defend life and the family against attempts to devalue them.
Bertone acknowledged that Filipinos were “passing through a difficult period in all that concerns life and its defense.”
“The Church is not indifferent in such moments because She believes that life is sacred, a gift from God who calls man to cooperate with Him, aided by a deep sense of responsibility for his actions,” Bertone said.
He cited Pope Benedict XVI’s commendation of theChurch in the Philippines for its “defense of the integrity of marriage and the family.”
Bertone concluded: “Strengthened by this clear message, I again encourage you and all who value the human person to be firm in your commitment to honorGod and, by doing so, to manifest a deep love for life and for its protection at this time.”
God’s greatest gift
Opponents of the RH bill have said that the measure would propagate the use of artificial contraceptives and promote abortion in the largely Catholic Philippines.
In his homily during Mass, Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales stressed the sanctity of life as God’s greatest gift to man.
He said: “If life is not given value at any stage, whether as an infant, fetus, elderly, weak or strong, nobody would respect life. Once life loses importance and respect, man will be cheated, abused, lied to and robbed with impunity.”
Rosales reiterated the sacredness of marriage and sex.
“What they should teach is the purity of conscience, cleanliness of the heart, discipline and self-restraint and respect for money that is not theirs,” the Manila archbishop also said.
At its peak, Manila Police Director Chief Supt. Roberto Rongavilla estimated the crowd at 40,000.
“Obey God’s will. No to RH bill,” the crowd chanted. They also prayed the rosary.
Rhodora Emping, 56, of Binangonan, Rizal, a member of a contingent from her diocese, said she was against the RH bill because government funds that could be used to uplift the economy by addressing poverty would be used to buy contraceptives.
“The RH bill does not go by the Lord’s teachings. The funds to be allocated for that should be used for providing jobs to the poor. It will also breed immorality,” she told the Inquirer.
Maricris Celorio, 47, of Makati City, said she took part in the rally not only to register her protest against the bill but to pray for the disaster-stricken people in Japan as well as the three overseas Filipino workers facing execution in China on March 30.
Celorio said the RH bill was unnecessary and stressed that the youth’s curiosity in sex would only be aroused.
She said she had been married for five years and only bore one child without using contraceptives.
“That should be proof that it can be done through self-control,” Celorio said.
Time to confess, too
While others joined the rally, a few went to confession before two priests inside a nearby tent.
Fr. Charlie Aldema, of the diocese of Novaliches, noted that the rally coincided with the Feast of the Annunciation and Incarnation, and said that most of those who attended the demonstration did not have time to go to Church to make their confession.
“While people are waiting for the Mass, they could come here and confess,” Aldema said.
“We need healing and forgiveness of our sins as a reparation for the unborn children and the destruction of life,” he said.
“It is a beautiful day,” he said, adding: “The spirit really here now is of life.”
Source :
The crowd, coming from Metro Manila and different provinces, began massing as early as 2 p.m. at the Quirino Grandstand for the prayer-for-life rally organized by the country’s Roman Catholic Church.
In a statement read at the rally by Manila AuxiliaryBishop Broderick Pabillo, Vatican Secretary of State Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone, S.D.B., urged Filipinos to firm up in their commitment to defend life and the family against attempts to devalue them.
Bertone acknowledged that Filipinos were “passing through a difficult period in all that concerns life and its defense.”
“The Church is not indifferent in such moments because She believes that life is sacred, a gift from God who calls man to cooperate with Him, aided by a deep sense of responsibility for his actions,” Bertone said.
He cited Pope Benedict XVI’s commendation of theChurch in the Philippines for its “defense of the integrity of marriage and the family.”
Bertone concluded: “Strengthened by this clear message, I again encourage you and all who value the human person to be firm in your commitment to honorGod and, by doing so, to manifest a deep love for life and for its protection at this time.”
God’s greatest gift
Opponents of the RH bill have said that the measure would propagate the use of artificial contraceptives and promote abortion in the largely Catholic Philippines.
In his homily during Mass, Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales stressed the sanctity of life as God’s greatest gift to man.
He said: “If life is not given value at any stage, whether as an infant, fetus, elderly, weak or strong, nobody would respect life. Once life loses importance and respect, man will be cheated, abused, lied to and robbed with impunity.”
Rosales reiterated the sacredness of marriage and sex.
“What they should teach is the purity of conscience, cleanliness of the heart, discipline and self-restraint and respect for money that is not theirs,” the Manila archbishop also said.
At its peak, Manila Police Director Chief Supt. Roberto Rongavilla estimated the crowd at 40,000.
“Obey God’s will. No to RH bill,” the crowd chanted. They also prayed the rosary.
Rhodora Emping, 56, of Binangonan, Rizal, a member of a contingent from her diocese, said she was against the RH bill because government funds that could be used to uplift the economy by addressing poverty would be used to buy contraceptives.
“The RH bill does not go by the Lord’s teachings. The funds to be allocated for that should be used for providing jobs to the poor. It will also breed immorality,” she told the Inquirer.
Maricris Celorio, 47, of Makati City, said she took part in the rally not only to register her protest against the bill but to pray for the disaster-stricken people in Japan as well as the three overseas Filipino workers facing execution in China on March 30.
Celorio said the RH bill was unnecessary and stressed that the youth’s curiosity in sex would only be aroused.
She said she had been married for five years and only bore one child without using contraceptives.
“That should be proof that it can be done through self-control,” Celorio said.
Time to confess, too
While others joined the rally, a few went to confession before two priests inside a nearby tent.
Fr. Charlie Aldema, of the diocese of Novaliches, noted that the rally coincided with the Feast of the Annunciation and Incarnation, and said that most of those who attended the demonstration did not have time to go to Church to make their confession.
“While people are waiting for the Mass, they could come here and confess,” Aldema said.
“We need healing and forgiveness of our sins as a reparation for the unborn children and the destruction of life,” he said.
“It is a beautiful day,” he said, adding: “The spirit really here now is of life.”
Source :
-----Reaction-----
Poverty is a tragic
Poverty is one of the problems we face off nowadays and it is the reason why people sacrifices in order to sustain their daily needs. During my elementary stage in life I suffered hunger in sympathetic and most of all to be left alone. Without knowing that my parents are working hard in order to give us good to eat, shelter to feel secure and clothing to feel comfortable. I cry and lay at the corner thinking about the things that would be the reason to lose my love for them. Time goes by and from a mind of discovering things develops into matured ones. I realize that they need to forgo things in order to give me my needs such as foods, clothing and especially EDUCATION. Now that I know what is the reason to those tragic in life and I feel pity with myself. RH bill is an opportunity for well living
RH bill has been the topic in streets, schools and even in churches. Some people consider this as a solution for the problems we encounter every day. This becomes a solution because they consider overpopulation as the reason why many of the people cannot eat three meals a day. Most of them pointed out that if this bill will not approve by the congress what will happen to our future and also to the youth. As we all know, Philippines is just a small country with a boost up population of 105 millions. If this so, can the government support all those 105 million citizens if our resources are limited? The answer is in our hands, if we will not discipline ourselves, much tragedy would happen. We may come up with such questions like is there any place or space to build our own house? How can I support my family if all available jobs are already occupied? I think it is about time that the governments do something about population control else the whole country would suffer. It wasn't thought of before because we had enough resources for everyone. No one was complaining about not eating in a day or two. Until somebody finally woke up and faces the reality that every one of us tries to avoid. Percentages of unexpected pregnancies are higher than planned ones. The government has its right to create this for the welfare of everyone and also for a new world. We should be reasonable and be responsible. It's 2011 we should do what we have to do. Let us think and act maturely and open our eyes.RH bill is not a solution
In churches, priests are promoting NO to RH bill. It is simply because Life is a Gift from God and RH bill will trigger to lessen God’s Gift. Moreover it has been stated in the bibles that go to the earth and multiply, that is why they are very concern about this kind of problems. Abortion would be legalized by law; it is so disappointing in my part that if we will let this bill to run through to become a law because youths would tend to do bad things because of curiosity. Also, if we are concerns in our health we will think of the effects of using contraceptives and that is CANCER. Moreover if I will become a parent someday I don’t want that my children ages 10-17 should be taught their sexual rights and the means to have a satisfying and "safe" sex life as part of their school curriculum. The calendar method or any other natural planning is a good way to preserve and conserve life to the fullest. Lastly, population is not the reason why we suffered from poverty, it is the government itself.Everyone is entitled of their own opinion
The Reproductive health Bill is controversial, as it is being opposed by concerned citizens, especially the pro-life, pro-family and pro-God groups, regardless of creed or religion. But, let us not focus our selves in that issue, we must focus in working hard in order to sustain our family basic needs. If we want these arguments to stop, become an observant and an eye for people whom want to lessen poverty.
SUPERB!
TumugonBurahinYour arguments are striking and remarkable. Keep on blogging!:D
score:25/25
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