PHILIPPINES-Church-government: dialogue and prayer in view of the approval of the Document on Reproductive Health

Manila (Agenzia Fides) - An intense prayer and a renewed desire for dialogue between the Church and the government to seek "common ground": these are the elements that characterize the Philippines in the aftermath of the opening session of the National Parliament (Congress and Senate), called to discuss and vote on the controversial “Document on reproductive Health " that in recent months has created tensions between the Catholic community and institutional representatives.

Yesterday, May 9, Parliament opened its doors while the Church proclaimed and lived a "National Day of Prayer" in which the faithful prayed the Rosary all day. The Church urged legislators not to approve the Document, recently renamed "Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health and Population and Development Act," saying that it does not respond to the will of the people. " On the day of May 9 also the "Special Novena for Life" concluded, called by the Archdiocese of Manila, mobilized to ask God for "the light and grace to enlighten the hearts and minds of those who decide on the Document."

In this context, the government of President Benigno Aquino, one of the promoters of the text of the law that allows artificial methods of contraception regarding Filipino family planning, launched signs of broadmindedness by stating that "the government intends to discuss and seek common ground with the Catholic Church. "

The network of pro-life movements and acronyms referred to as "Civic Alliance for the Protection of Life, which launched an awareness campaign to " save the Philippines from abortion is very active these days. " The movements argue that in fact, among the measures of "reproductive health and family planning programs, Congress could also introduce in the Document an appeal to abortion, now banned by the Constitution (see Fides 07/04/2011). The activists point out that the Philippine government has already received about $ 900 million from organizations such as UNFPA, USAID, AUSAID to approve the Document, disguised under "achievement of the Millennium objectives and for programs to alleviate poverty. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 05/10/2011)