CBCP warns public of 'false prophets' in Congress

MANILA, Philippines – An official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) yesterday asked the Catholic faithful to rebuff efforts by some “false prophets” trying to impose their brand of morality on the country.

CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Family and Life (ECFL) chairman Archbishop Paciano Aniceto told CBCPNews that there were recent attacks by supporters of the proposed bills on reproductive health against Church teachings on family planning.

In a statement, Aniceto cautioned lawmakers against “trying to propagate false and harmful doctrines that have already misled countless men and women around the world, and caused the moral and spiritual ruin of their lives and souls.”

The 71-year-old prelate added that the lawmakers owe it to the people they serve to accept the truth that “man and woman emanate from God, and not from Congress. It is not created by politically designed surveys or political consensus.”

The Catholic faithful, he said, should “stand in solidarity and courage and reject false prophets.”

He added that it is not the way of the Church to please some people and tell them what they want to hear or give its moral consent even when it is the wrong or harmful thing to do. It would continue to denounce any statement that would contradict the fundamental right of Christians.

The CBCP-ECFL official also advised legislators, particularly those from the House of Representatives, to be circumspect if those pushing for the passage of the Reproductive Health bills were not exploiting the measure to suit their own personal gain, such as forging an agreement with the manufacturers of contraceptives.

“There is nothing to prevent an unscrupulous politician from demanding commissions from the condom manufacturers for having helped in the passage of the law that provides for the continued government purchase of contraceptives year after year. The proposed 2009 budget alone carries an appropriation of at least P3.4 billion for this purpose,” a source explained to Archbishop Aniceto.

Meanwhile, the Church-run Radio Veritas said that as of yesterday, they conducted an “on-air-survey” that showed that so far 62 congressmen would not support the Reproductive Health bill slated for plenary debates today; 26 favored the proposal; and only about nine of them remained undecided.

Radio Veritas president Fr. Anton Pascual said that their survey shows that the advocacy of the Church against “Reproductive Health is gaining momentum. The bill is very disturbing to Catholics.” – Cecille Felipe Suerte, Sandy Araneta, Rudy Santos, Evelyn Macairan