Manila, Philippines, Sep 30, 2010 / 23:06 pm
The president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has said there is “a possibility” of excommunication for the Philippines president if he insists that the government distribute contraceptives.
Bishop Nereo Odchimar, in an interview with the Church-run Radio Veritas, responded to President Benigno Aquino III’s comment that Filipino couples who decide to use artificial contraceptives should be allowed to do so. The comment came amid a push for “reproductive health” legislation as part of a population control program.
“Well, being the President of all, you must consider the position of the Catholic Church because we are approaching these issues from the moral aspect like the unborn,” the bishop told Radio Veritas, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reports.
The prelate noted that abortion is a grave crime which carries the penalty of excommunication.