*is rendered speechless*

[starshadow_rivaulx]

Priest actually *encourages* Mass attendees/parishioners to leave the Mass and not attend, if in support of the RH Bill.

Background: we have this pending Reproductive Health Bill that would
allow for the distribution of artificial contraceptive methods along
with education on family planning methods. Catholic Church loud in its
disapproval of the inclusion of artificial contraception - very loud and
not always rational sounding. Pro-RH support loud in its determination
to include artifical contraception - very loud and not always rational
sounding also.

But this! It beggars description. And in the face of the excellent
NON-POLITICAL homily that was preached at the Palm Sunday Mass I
attended? A classic case of how to undo any good that sensible priests
may have established/maintained over the years. Grf.

Comments

[afuna]

UGGHH.

The responses to the priest are heartening though. Plus the fact that the reaction to him is so negative probably means that his stance is not the norm?

*clutching at straws*

[starshadow_rivaulx]

His stance cannot possibly be the norm - nor can the position of those bishops threatening excommunication of the faithful for supporting the RH Bill, presumably beginning with the president!

I am told that in other countries, the Church is not as medieval in its position as it is here - that they accept divorce in cases where there is abuse in the marriage; that they accept sex education in schools as long as natural family planning is taught along with the use of artificial contraception. Good for them...makes you wish, doesn't it?

[dreamlessness]

oh that is not on.

[cindyg.livejournal.com]

It is *insane*. My mind is still boggling - and kudos to the Mass-goer who took the video on hir cellphone!

I am more inclined to go with the INC stand that planning one's family is in line with the Biblical concept of stewardship of the planet. Am only a fraction of the way into the hour-long video that explains their whys and wherefores, and they seem to be making a sensible case of it. Need to finish the vid first, obviously, before venturing forth with a complete opinion.

[hushdawg.livejournal.com]

Next week they'll start excommunicating people who support RH Bill.

Just Watch...

So bizarre especially since catholic churches in other countries support sex education which includes the concepts of abstinence and natural family planning alongside "artificial" birth control methods (bear in mind the withdrawal method is considered "artificial" by the Catholic Church).

Then again Catholic churches everywhere else in the world give the right of divorce to women who suffer abuse or have unfaithful husbands.. but not here!! can't cut the puppet strings on the Philippine people! AUGH! Makes me sick...

God save us from your priests!

[cindyg.livejournal.com]

So the excommunications will really take place? Starting with the President? Oh, bring it on! Never mind the crisis of faith this will cause for any number of Catholics who sincerely think that the RH Bill is something the country as a whole could benefit from. *wrinkles nose*

There are things that are recognized as legal and due process by the state that do not require the authorization of the Church. Divorce is one of those things. I mean, you can get married in the Church, but without the presence of the civil document (marriage certificate) filed with the proper government agencies, I don't think the state will consider you legally married. (And this whole paragraph sounded clearer in my head...gah.)

And a pox on the mindset that somehow a civil marriage is inferior to a church wedding. If you're legal, you're legal, and there an end to it. Yes, it is soothing to the soul to know your union is "blessed by God", but seriously? I do think he'd be just as pleased to know that the parties involved have committed themselves to making a life together, period!

[hushdawg.livejournal.com]

I posted this and some supplementary articles on Facebook (where I spend most of my online time) and my wife and a few friends have commented that this mentality drags us (the Philippines) back into the Spanish Era and being dominated by the Friars.

[cindyg.livejournal.com]

Exactly. Precisely why Carlos Celdran used the placard "Damaso" in his protest action at the Manila Cathedral. Remember Damaso? The pompous friar in the Noli Me Tangere who (a) refused to bury Crisostomo Ibarra's father in the church cemetery, and possibly had the senior Ibarra disinterred, for that matter and (b) was the father of Maria Clara, that alleged example of Filipina womanhood, when he and Maria Clara's mother had an affair in Obando.

Which is why I could never agree to Maria Clara as an example of Filipina womanhood, poor woman. She was quite the submissive lass until pretty much the end of the book, but by then it was too late.