CBCP suspends dialogues with Palace on RH bill

(Updated 7:16 p.m.) One week after pulling out of consultations on the Senate version of the reproductive health (RH) bill, Catholic bishops on Monday suspended talks with Malacañang on the issue. The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said its president Nereo Odchimar informed President Benigno Aquino III about its stand in a letter issued Saturday. “In view, however, of the pastoral letter that the Catholic Bishops issued on the matter last January 31, and considering the speed in the ongoing legislative processes both in the Lower House and the Senate, I deem it prudent to suspend in the meantime further talks with the Executive Department," Odchimar said in the letter, according to an article posted on the CBCP news site on Monday. However, Odchimar thanked Aquino for his immediate response to the bishops’ earlier invitation to hold dialogues on the controversial issue. Unfortunate Malacañang, meanwhile, described the pullout as “unfortunate." “While we respect Bishop Nereo P. Odchimar's decision, it is unfortunate that he chose to suspend the dialogue with the Executive Department, through no fault on our part, and notwithstanding the fruitful discussions of the past two sessions," said presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda in a text message. In an interview, he said the Aquino administration is still firm on its position — to provide couples access to both natural and artificial planning methods — despite the pullout. Bishop to PNoy: Pray Odchimar said the suspension of the CBCP’s participation in the dialogue “is primarily due to the ongoing visitatio ad limina apostolorum of the Philippine bishops with the Holy Father, according to the schedule set by the Holy See." Odchimar said the next regular meeting of the CBCP Permanent Council, which will give bishops a chance to address the developments, will take place on the last week of March. Meanwhile, Odchimar urged Aquino to “pray for the Lord’s guidance as we strive to promote the temporal and spiritual welfare of our citizens." The Church has been vocal against the RH bill, which it noted allows artificial contraception. The Church favors only natural family planning. In January, the CBCP issued a statement on the RH bill, branding it a form of "moral corruption." Only last week, the CBCP pulled out of consultations for the Senate version of the RH bill. – VVP/KBK, GMA News