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Excommunicate me!


The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is openly opposed to the Reproductive Health Bill (RHB) still under deliberation in Congress. I find no fault in this except, their propensity to nitpick with the State affairs when their own backyards are in shambles.

Before the May 2010 elections, they threatened the legislators supporting the RH Bill with rejection of votes. Now they are also threatening Pres. Noynoy Aquino with impeachment if he will support the RH Bill. But in Church, they taught us that Jesus Christ has never threatened with retributions those Roman soldiers who persecuted Him.


It is widely believe that parish priests of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines survive only through the support of devoted-parishioners. So perhaps, they fear the lose of income from these flocks once the population control is enacted into law.


This holds true to their income from wealthy donors, special masses on demand, wedding ceremonies and many others. In fact, we were even taught during our younger days that no dead members of the family can go to heaven without a ticket from the church known as blessings - for a fee!


But if we concede with the whims of our devotees, how could this struggling government contain the fast growing population when it cannot even provide the basic needs of millions of poor families in the squatter areas? What is in store for these lowly citizens at this time of economic disparity?


As we see it, only twenty percent of children with poor parents finished high school. Less of them have at least put a step in the first year or in second year college, no more. The few survivor may graduate with a college degree, but what about after graduation? The best credential in job hunting today is not what you know - but whom you know. This is what got the poor so hopeless about!


Not only that. Today, many young-mothers died due to lack of proper education about early pregnancy. Yet, Church devotees don't even have the faintest idea on why those young-mothers and their kids died.


Church leaders must now ponder on why reports of abortion are so rampant today and why this illegal business proliferates. More so on reports of abandoned dead and alive fetus almost everywhere.

This only shows that birth control by calendar method is not working well in slum areas. If the birth control pills and condoms are bad for the Church, what about abortion which now seems a solution of last resort by the unprepared and unwed young mothers?


Timendi causa est nescire - ignorance is the cause of fear. This could be the reason why those women who understand the RHB are now emboldened to challenge the Church to excommunicate them. This is a cause for alarm as it can propel more exodus from among women devotees of the Catholic Church.


The RH Bill is not strictly confined in birth control or family planning. It also dwells on helpful information about raising a child, a family, and most of all, about the risk of early pregnancy. A recent report claims that one of every three women in Asia dies during pregnancy or while giving birth.


Church leaders should present their solution to the problem as population explosion seems inevitable. They government has provided them enough opportunity to lobby in Congress for the amendment of the Bill before its enactment into law. They should make use of it.


As noted, lot of devotees are now moving away from their divine faith in Catholic Church due to great difference in opinion regarding the RH Bill. The Church may have their own interpretation of the law but it may be at odds with the understanding and current need of young women of the new generation.


Our Church leaders must work hand in hand with the government to get the best result. An argument aimed to sway popular support by appealing to sentiment weakness rather than facts and reasons would only end in a miserable compromise. A lop-sided stand on this issue can force more women to challenge the Catholic Church to say ........see the title!