‘Pro-life’ leaders 'worried' about Obama victory

MANILA, Philippines — The victory of Sen. Barack Obama did not sit well with Church-backed groups opposing the reproductive health bill being discussed in the House of Representatives. So-called "pro-life" groups voiced concerns how Obama will implement foreign policies like population control once he assumes office in January 2009. "They may restore the distribution of contraceptives from their foreign mechanism which the Republicans removed," former Jesuit provincial Romeo Intengan said in an article on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines website (www.cbcpnews.com). Intengan voiced worries there might be more funding for contraceptives, a reversal of the US policy on foreign aid. CBCP Episcopal Commission on Family and Life executive secretary Fr. Melvin Castro voiced fears of an aggressive promotion of contraceptives and population control. "What we are afraid of is that the US government would again be very aggressive in influencing the Philippine government on the promotion of contraceptives and population control," he said. "I hope the more the Church should engage in authentic catechism of the faithful no matter what happens with government policies and we will still be faithful to the Church's teachings," he added. Intengan added that while the Republicans of John McCain are more publicly concerned with family and life values, they tend to be pro-big business. "The Democrats are publicly more concerned with the poor and homeless but they try to be more secular humanist and in favor of means of birth regulations which go against Catholic teachings, even abortion," he said. San Jose (de Nueva Ecija) Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara said Obama's election may bring more problems. "I watched a video which featured a question and answer session on family and life and it was clear, Senator Obama is pro-choice," he said. He added there are many implications with regard to what happens to abortion, gay/lesbian marriages and its interesting to know the outcome on how people in California would vote for Proposition No. 8 which seeks to redefine the term marriage. Former Sen. Francisco Tatad said they are "hoping" that despite Obama's victory, the US government will try to moderate the flow of funds in support of population control programs. He said Obama's victory will pose "a challenge to redouble our vigilance in preserving our Christian culture, integrity of our Constitution and the sovereignty of our Republic." Palawan Rep. Abraham Khalil Mitra, co-chairman of the Bishops-Legislators Caucus of the Philippines, said "the United States should not meddle or influence Philippine policy on population management." He said the newly elected President Obama should "listen to the voice of God, not his party." - GMANews.TV