Manila, Philippines, Jul 22, 2008 / 00:40 am
Thousands of Catholic faithful are expected to attend a prayer rally and march at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila on Friday in protest of a proposed population policy. Some policy provisions would permit government funding for artificial birth control, while others would fully fund tubal ligations and vasectomies. The bill also proposes a non-mandatory “two child policy” and requires employers in collective bargaining agreements to fund contraceptives.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said in a statement that the rally and march will be a movement of Christian believers who oppose “immoral” policies. The event coincides with the fortieth anniversary of Pope Paul VI’s encyclical Humanae Vitae.
“It will be a bit festive because of the Humanae Vitae’s fortieth year but very militant as well,” said Father Melvin Castro, executive secretary for the CBCP’s Commission on Family and Life. “It is our way of telling our legislators strongly but respectfully that we are in opposition of these bills,” he continued.
Members of over 45 lay and religious Catholic groups will attend the three-hour rally, which will include a Mass celebrated by several clergymen, including Angel Lagdameo, Archbishop of Jaro and CBCP President. The event will also feature testimonies and talks from clergymen, married couples and experts on Humanae Vitae, including the Archbishop of Manila, Cardinal Gaudenico Rosales.