MANILA, August 9, 2010— Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz told the media last week that actively supporting the legalization of abortion in the country warrants excommunication and the prelate means it.

The vocal canon lawyer told CBCPNews “that anyone called to active participation for abortion … from the woman concerned, the husband who helped her, the abortionist, or the nurses,” should receive the said penalty.

“Excommunication means that the person concerned is separated from the spiritual benefits enjoyed by all members of the Church. Furthermore, the same person could not take communion,” the prelate added.

The Code of Canon Law specifies that participating in an abortion involves a latae sententiae excommunication (Can. 1398), meaning that the penalty is awarded eventually from the act itself, without need for official pronouncement.

In the United States, Bishop Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix, Arizona appealed to this canon when he announced that a nun in his diocese had incurred automatic excommunication by permitting an abortion at a local Catholic hospital.  While he faced tremendous backlash, numerous Catholic commentators pointed out that the bishop had done nothing but alert the nun to the fact that she had excommunicated herself.

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Cited from an original article by Patrick B. Craine for lifesitenews.com last 8/10/10

MANILA, July 22, 2010 –AS P-NOY’s first State of the Nation Address looms, a bishop based in Mindanao has asked the President to clarify his stand on the controversial Reproductive Health bill come July 26.

Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad sais during his interview over Radio Veritas that he wants the President to clearly address the debate over the issue of reproductive health specifically the new administration’s policies on child spacing.

“As we have said we are only for natural family planning. I wish also to hear from the President that he will really say his position concerning RH bill…I wish to hear from the President he will really completely say that he is for natural family planning,” Jumoad said.

This 15th Congress, the RH bill was recently re-filed as House Bill 96 under the names of Iloilo Rep. Janet Garin and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman. In the previous Congress, the bill’s last version made it through the second reading.

Since the inception for push for the passage of the RH bill, the prelate of Basilan has always been vocal in rejecting its provisions. In a 2008 interview with the same radio station, Bishop Jumoad mentioned of what vile effects the bill could bring forth to society once it gets implemented.

“If it [RH Bill] will become a law, morality will go down and it will be very dangerous to our young people. Pre-marital sex would be prevalent. The policy will just spoon-feed Filipinos of the contraceptive mentality which is against cultural, moral, and religious beliefs.”

Aside from the RH Bill, the bishop also hopes that P-Noy will discuss his stance on the peace process in Mindanao.

“I would like hear how he will get rid of corruption in government, what step he will take, how will he generate jobs. I wish to hear would be is giving ultimatum to all absentee mayors particularly in ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao),” Jumoad added. With citations from an original article from philstar.com last 07/23/10.

MANILA, July 6, 2010—A STALWART anti-RH bill congressman filed a bill seeking to protect the unborn and penalize proven offenders who threaten the life inside the mother’s womb.

Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez crafted House Bill No. 13 aptly called Protection of the Unborn Child Act of 2010 to safeguard pregnant women and their unborn children from abortionists and other means that can imperil their lives.

The bill firmly resolves that “The unborn child shall be protected from abortive acts including the use, administration, dispensing, injection or delivery by whatever means of substances, medicines in any form, or practice such as massage, which are hereby declared as abortifacients which cause o may recklessly endanger or expose the unborn child to damag­e, injury or death.”

With this legislative proposition’s advent, the passage of the controversial RH Bill might be delayed due to conflicting provisions. Under the proposals of the RH Bill, couples can subscribe to using artificial contraceptive methods to avert unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases and infections.

On the other hand, Rep. Golez’ bill strongly promotes responsible parenthood and child spacing leaving artificial contraception out of the scene.

Section 8 of House Bill No. 13 also promulgates “The rights of pa­rents of a minor with a unborn child shall be superior to that of the State in all stances, involving the safety, protection and welfare of the unborn child and the mother and shall not be affected by social stigma, laws, regulations, go­vernment policy considerations, health, racial or religious concerns.”

The said provision is opposite of what the RH bill tries to implement which hinges the responsibility of educating students regarding family planning and population control primarily to the government.

Once the bill passes this 15th Congress, abortionists and other violators of the bill will be subjected to imprisonment of at least 6 months or fined from P 10,000.00 to P50,000.00. Cited from an original article by Bernard Taguinod for abante.com.ph last 07/06/10.

Ang Kapatiran's standard bearer Councilor JC De los Reyes and senatorial candidate Atty. Jo Imbong file a case against condom ads.

QUEZON CITY, May 8, 2010—Ang Kapatiran Party (AKP) senatorial candidate Jo Aurea Imbong filed a case to stop the contraceptive honchos of DKT Philippines as well as its celebrity endorser actor Robin Padilla from advertising condoms for the sake of public decency and morality.

The pro-life lawyer submitted her complaint to the Quezon City Regional Trial Court against DKT and Padilla for threatening the rights of the public for a moral and decent environment by advertising condoms.

Padilla recently starred in an ad campaign for Trust Condoms, a brand manufactured by DKT.

Imbong stated in her complaint, “It is respectfully prayed that a writ of preliminary injunction be issued ordering defendant Padilla to cease and desist from publicly espousing and promoting condoms and condom use.”

In justifying the civil complaint, Imbong said the explicit and subliminal messages in the ads convey “an unwholesome and indecent influence upon the audience, especially the young.”

Imbong cited that provisions in the Child and Youth Welfare Code were violated by DKT as the ads targeting the youth market “partake of the nature of child abuse of the highest order for these deform conscience and corrupt moral character.”

Moreover, the advertisers according to Imbong also violated Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code that punishes immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions, she said.

As for Padilla, the actor violated Article 200 of the Revised Penal Code which punishes grave scandal when he publicly promoted and endorsed the use of condoms.

AKP standard bearer JC de los Reyes and his cohorts accompanied Imbong to court. De Los Reyes and the AKP had been very vocal about their stand against the proposed reproductive health bill which includes the promotion of artificial contraception.

“I am aghast that my children are asking why condoms are being sold in convenience stores beside candies,” De los Reyes told the reporters. With reports from the Philippine Daily Inquirer

February 14 is Valentine’s Day, and for Prolife Phils Foundation, Inc., Feb 14, 2010, was truly an ourpouring of love and generosity when the Mary Mother of Good Counsel  Parish Youth Commission, (in Marcelo Green Village) belonging to the Diocese of Paranaque, handed over proceeds of their Youth Praise Concert held last Dec. 5, 2009.  Prolife was part beneficiary of the said concert as the youth projects also benefitted from the event.  The simple turnover ceremony was held during the 10:30 AM Eucharistic Celebration, with Fr. Alfred Ramos, Parish Priest as main Priest-Presider.  Also present at the ceremonies were Marty Dagdag and the youth commission leaders.  Ms. Marita F. Wasan, Exec. Director of Prolife Phils., received the  Fifty-Thousand Pesos proceeds in cash.

It is indeed worthy of our reflection,  that these youth who so dedicated their time, their talent, their whole lives to this significant event have actually given much of themselves to the youth of their generation who are, at this very moment, in danger of losing their lives in areas of conflict, in violent homes, in the hands of an abductor, in the very womb of a mother thinking of abortion.  It is the mission of Prolife to promote a culture of Life, as opposed to a culture of death and violence.  Thus, Prolife’s way of thanking these young people of MMGC Parish, is a firm resolve to continue its mission of spreading the Good News of life through its programs:  Education and Training, Lobbying and Advocacy, and Crisis Intervention Services, with a focus on the future youth – the bearers of Life! (Weena S. Meily)

BROKEN hearts weren’t the only body parts attended to during Pro-Life Philippines Foundation’s post-Valentine event.

In partnership with the Blessed Margaret of Castello Movement (BMCM) spearheaded by Bro. Gonzalo “Sonny” Goquiolay, the Foundation held its annual Pro-Life Healing Mass last February 18 at the Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish (Sto. Doming Church) in Quezon City.

More than 100 participants afflicted with diseases and weaknesses of the mind, body and soul gathered inside the church to recite prayers and hear the Holy Mass concelebrated by parish priest Rev. Fr. George Moreno, OP and Fr. Efren Borromeo, SOLT of the Trinitas Healing Ministry.

Fr. Moreno from the Dominican Order of Preachers was once designated as chaplain priest in the University of Santo Tomas Hospital while Fr. Borromeo from the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity has led a group of healers via Trinitas Healing Ministry.

After the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, Fr. Borromeo conducted the healing sessions for the participants had sicknesses ranging from recurrent back pains to terminal blood cancers.

Also, Pro-Life Program Officer Weena Meily gave a short talk on the alarming anti-life trends proliferating in today’s society as well as the vital steps pro-lifers need to take in order to heal and cure the contagious culture of death. To further emphasize her points of view, a 10-minute video presentation titled “Simula ng Buhay” was shown to the attendees of the pro-life affair.

The Pro-Life Healing Mass was part of the Foundation’s activities in celebrating the Pro-Life month this February with a theme “Buhay Mo, Mahal Ko.” (Katherine P. Trimocha)

As patroness of the unborn, the image of the Our Lady of Guadalupe has traveled and replicated in many nations in an explicit effort to end abortion. For pro-lifers, she brings a message of hope as well as a message of concrete charity with which she challenges the Church.

Seeking faith in this premise, Pro-Life Philippines Foundation found it fitting to have the Archdiocesan Parish of the Our Lady of Guadalupe in Makati City as its venue to usher in the celebration of the Pro-Life Month this year.

At high noon, a Holy Mass was celebrated last February 7, the first Pro-Life Sunday of the year with the hosts of the opening, parish priests Rev. Fr. Edwin Mercado and Rev. Fr. Salvador Jose, officiating.

“We dedicate this month to advocating and promoting being pro-life which is very much important in our society today,” Fr. Mercado said. “That is why we opted to let Pro-Life hold their opening salvo here in the parish of the Our Lady of Guadalupe, the pro-life patroness.”

Read during the Holy Mass was Word and Life’s Sunday Euchalette’s prayer intentions dedicated to the pro-life advocacy.

After the Holy Communion, Pro-Life Executive Director Marita Wasan delivered her talk.

“We are reminded today of the gift of life that God has given us, as well as our responsibility to respect, take care and defend our own life and the life of all people. We give special attention to the unborn baby that   we forget is life itself, and that is why there is so much abortion today.”

Wasan also mentioned of the violence that our society is facing today. In addition, she invited everyone to support the Family and Life Programs of the parish and learn more on how to improve the love within family members.
“There is a need to promote a culture of life and to convince everyone to topple the evils in our society.”

Present during the Mass were Pro-Life Vice President Edgardo Sorreta and wife, Let, Pro-Life’s Board of Trustees Eric Manalang, Manny Amador and Baby Nebrida-Ballesty, Pro-Life’s Board of Advisers Dra. Myrna Zapanta, Minda Fuentes, and Dr. Primitivo Chua, and Ang Kapatiran’s Vice-Presidentiable Jun Chipeco. (Roxanne Joy D. Pesigan)

MANILA, February 4, 2010—THE DEBATE on the Reproductive Health Bill is by no means over. But at the end of the 14th Congress, the proposal remained stuck in the period of interpellation despite being given a priority status. With this, Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal was optimistic that the current scenario implies the defeat of House Bill 5043.

During the last three working days before the House adjourned for the campaign period, House Speaker Prospero Nograles cited that lack of quorum was the reason that the bill got jammed.

In an earlier report, Nograles instructed Majority Leader Arthur Defensor to “simplify the plenary debates to avoid personal divisive emotional matters.” In this regard, two panels of five members from each side were supposed to speak and comment on the different aspects of the bill. This was done to allegedly hasten the process instead of having a long list of lawmakers interpellating the sponsors of the said bill. However, since series of plenary debates did not suffice to be able to put it to a vote, reports indicated that the Catholic church believes that the turn of events was symbolic of the way the RH Bill was buried.

The reproductive health bill, now with 132 co-authors and 20 others who pledged support, seeks to step up the use of both artificial and natural means of family planning as one of the measures to curb the ballooning population, the rising maternal deaths and empower couples in deciding the size of family they want.

DAVAO CITY, Jan. 9, 2010—LIKE MOST religious people, Mati Bishop Patricio Alo hit on anti-life advocates and their arguments to be “baseless, misleading and erroneous.”

Further, Bishop Alo warned that those who support the anti-life agenda unknowingly are engaged into corruption because the program in itself is a kind of corruption.

“They are just making man slave to the passing glory and sensual pleasures of the world. They simply disregard the basic fact that life is sacred,” he said.

The prelate moved on saying that the arguments that matter are those based on truth, not just on transitory or volatile reasons.

“They (anti-lifers or Reproductive Health Bill supporters) give reasons such as poverty, overpopulation, hunger and many others which are erroneous,” said Bishop Alo.

Bishop Alo said those arguments have no sufficient basis for terminating life or potential life by means of abortion or contraception.

“You do not solve the problem of life by terminating life. Things were made for man and not vice versa,” he said, adding:

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Cited from an original article by Mark S. Ventura for cbcpnews.com last 01/09/10

MANILA, January 12, 2010—THE CATHOLIC Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) remains steadfast on their stand against the realization of a law setting expiration dates on marriage contracts.

CBCP President and respected Canon lawyer Bishop Nereo P. Odchimar quoted “Unity and indissolubility of marriage are values rooted in the bible and Christian tradition.

Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Emeritus Oscar V. Cruz, another expert in Canon Law and Chairman of the CBCP’s National Appellate Matrimonial Tribunal said the proposal is “some kind of desperate approach to right a wrong by something wrong.”

“It is wrong for couples to separate and here comes a proposal for them to precisely separate,” he said.

The proposed legislation cites “a 10-year expiration on marriages would give couples the opportunity to review their relationship, and decide whether to continue or not with the union.”

Prelature of Isabela (de Basilan) Bishop Martin S. Jumoad said he’s definitely against putting an expiration date on marriages. He said commitment, fidelity and respect are vital for one to have a strong family.
If this happens, he foresees “Philippine society will become chaotic, more street children and more social problems.”

As far as Administrator Carmelita N. Ericta, who concurrently sits as Civil Registrar General, the proposal to put expiration on marriages in the Philippines is “contrary to the aspirations of the Filipino people as espoused in the 1987 Constitution, the family being the building block of society.”

She added there are about 500,000 marriages solemnized annually with less than 10% getting annulled and reported to the National Statistics Office.

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Cited from an original article by Melo M. Acuña for cbcpnews.com last 01/12/10