Catholic bishops to monitor voting on RH bill

MANILA, Philippines - Several Catholic bishops will watch how lawmakers would vote on the Reproductive Health (RH) bill on Wednesday.

These Catholic bishops are expected to come to the House of Representatives on Wednesday to witness the voting. 

Fr. Melvin Castro, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Family and Life, said Catholic bishops will also go to Congress to show their support for the anti-RH bill lawmakers.

“It was also a sentiment presented by the anti-RH legislators because they said they need the moral, spiritual and physical presence of the bishops. But the main reason why the bishops will be there is to pray for them (lawmakers),” he said.

However, Castro could not say how many Catholic bishops will go to Congress on Wednesday.

“I don’t know how many yet, but hopefully they are many this time around,” he said.

In previous sessions of Congress, only Archbishop of Lipa, Batangas Ramon Arguelles and Antipolo Bishop Gabriel Reyes monitored the RH bill deliberations.

Prior to proceeding at the House of Representatives, a Mass would be held at St. Peter Church along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City at noontime Wednesday.

Castro said anti-RH bill lawmakers are expected to join the Mass.

“In a way it’s also a blessing and prayer to them before they go to Congress to vote,” he said.

After the Mass, Castro said a procession to the House of Representatives will be held.

“If all of us cannot be accommodated inside then we will just stay outside to pray,” he said.