Bishop: Heed Pope, fight attacks on family, life

Pampanga Archbishop Paciano Aniceto urged Catholics to heed Pope Benedict XVI and fight against attacks on family and life. In an article posted on the news site of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Thursday, Aniceto said the Pope is calling on Catholics to strengthen their resolve and not to give up the fight against any attack to life and the family. “In the face of the international network of anti-life NGOs and huge government to government grants for contraceptives and abortifacients it is imperative that we persevere in our resolution to protect innocent human life and on our determination to defend the Filipino family," said Aniceto, chairman of the CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Family and Life. Aniceto is one of the co-convenors of the Marian pilgrimage to Lipa Carmel in Batangas province on May 31. The pilgrimage will kick off at Pope Pius XII Catholic Center on May 30 for the traditional Flores de Mayo Mediatrix gathering from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm. The May 30 activities will be capped by a Holy Mass followed by Floral Offering and consecration of the family and commissioning of lay promoters from 5:30 pm onwards, the CBCP said. The Marian devotees will leave for their pilgrimage to Lipa at 9:30 am on May 31, the CBCP added. The CBCP said the activities are under the auspices of the Confraternity of Mary Mediatrix of All Grace with Fr. Melvin Castro as Moderator, Auxiliary Bishop of Cotabato Jose Colin M. Bagaforo, and Aniceto. - VVP, GMA News