CBCP formally withdraws from RH talks

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has formally informed President Benigno Aquino III of its withdrawal from the dialogues regarding the controversial House Bill 4244, or the Reproductive Health bill. In a letter to the President dated May 17, CBCP President Nereo Odchimar said the action was taken as the “prevailing circumstances where a healthy atmosphere for dialogue on the matter was wanting." He said the bishops affirmed the decision of the CBCP team to discontinue the dialogue during a regular meeting of the Permanent Council of the CBCP held Tuesday. He said they acknowledged that the past dialogues had somehow provided them opportunities to study possible areas of collaboration for the interest of the people. “However, the process has reached a point where we have to stand by the teachings and the principles demanded of us by our mission," Odchimar said in a one-page letter. Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Malacañang respects the decision and appreciates the frankness of CBCP. “We appreciate their frankness and their gesture to write to the President a formal letter informing us that they affirm the decision of the CBCP team to withdraw from the dialogue. We respect them for that," he said in a text message to reporters. The RH bill has drawn strong opposition from the Catholic Church and other religious groups. The Catholic Church accepts only natural methods of family planning while the RH bill promotes both natural and artificial methods of contraception. — KBK, GMA News