Church rallies faithful to unite in protection of life

MANILA, Philippines -  As the Catholic Church continued to wage battle against the passage of the Reproductive Health (RH) bill, Pope Benedict XVI yesterday called on the Filipino faithful to support the campaign for protection of life.

The Pope’s message was contained in a letter sent by the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. It was read during yesterday evening’s prayer rally attended by an estimated 40,000 supporters at the Quirino Grandstand.

“I again encourage you and all who value the human person to be firm in your commitment to honor God and, by doing so, to manifest deep love for life and for its protection at this time,” said the papal letter read by Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo.

Cardinal Bertone said Filipino society is again going through a difficult period in defending life.

But he gave assurance that 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 action.”

He said the Filipino bishops discussed the attack against life when they went to the Vatican during the Ad Limina last Nov. 29, 2010.

Bertone said they were “unanimous in demonstrating their sensitivity to the attacks being made upon life and upon the family.”

Bertone said the Pope had recommended the defense of these values, which remain vital to the whole of Filipino society.

Pope Benedict earlier commended the Filipino Catholic clergy for its pro-life role.

In his homily, Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales reminded the people that marriage should be treated as something holy.

Rosales led the thousands of faithful in the prayer rally with around 600 priests taking part in the ceremony “Filipinos! Unite under God for Life.”

Also present were Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, Rep. Amado Bagatsing, El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde and his son, Buhay party-list Rep. Michael Velarde.

The Mass coincided with the Feast of the Annunciation and Day of the Unborn. Peachy Yamsuan, of the archdiocese of Manila, said there was no specific color for the occasion. She said participants simply brought with them yellow, blue and white balloons.

“The only thing we requested was that they bring candles, food and trash bags. While the Mass was ongoing, there was a slight commotion at the back of the stage when an orange colored cat jumped on a person, who in surprise squealed,” she said.

Cardinal Rosales spoke out against the RH bill pending approval at the House of Representatives.

“Having sex is sacred because it is connected to life that came from God. (Using) condom is not a game that should be taught to children so they would not be infected with diseases. Why should we teach these games to these children?” he asked.

Rosales said elders should teach their children the importance of life, the holiness of self-restraint, discipline and respect.

“Now what they are teaching the children is to use condom and play. This is how they make life cheap,” Rosales said.

Instead of misinforming the youth, the children should be taught about the purity of conscience, cleanliness of heart, discipline and self-restraint, he said.

“Instead of teaching about the RH bill, that when it becomes a law those who would (violate) it may be asked to pay fines or face imprisonment. They would punish those who follow their conscience and their faith. This is not the Philippines we know …this is not the Philippines that we love and for which our heroes sacrificed their lives,” Rosales said.

With the RH bill yet to be taken up for plenary debates at the House, Rosales said, “there is still time to avert the moral tragedy that would be brought by the RH Bill.”

“Change the provisions or disregard the bill altogether which does not show respect for life and cause the loss of responsibility and discipline that are now needed by the people and the country,” he added.