Christian, Muslim anti-RH groups to hold 'Congress of the Faithful' July 25

UPDATED 3:00 p.m. - Hours before President Benigno Simeon Aquino III delivers his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 25, Christian and Muslim anti-reproductive health (RH) bill groups will hold a "Congress of the Faithful." The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said the congress of people of different faiths aims to show the "people’s perspective" on the country's situation. July 25 also happens to be the 43rd year of the "Humanae Vitae," the landmark papal letter about the Church's uncompromising stand on birth control. The CBCP said the details of the "congress" will be made public in the days leading to Aquino's SONA. Christians and Muslims In an article on its news site, the CBCP said the holding of the congress was announced by former congressman Benny Abante during a press conference of an inter-faith pro-life coalition on Friday. Those represented in the press conference were Catholic, evangelical Christian and Muslim groups as well as speakers from the education and youth sectors. "We hereby enjoin not only our government leaders, lawmakers and public servants, but every freedom-loving and God-fearing Filipino to do away with apathy, complacency and 'bahala na' mentality and take an active stance in confronting these moral and social cancers of our time, eroding the very foundation of our family, society and country," Abante said. Abante claimed the Prolife Coalition, which has 40 religious and socio-civic groups, is giving its "united and unwavering support" to pro-poor programs of the present administration. "We likewise convey our unequivocal support for its relentless fight against all forms of corruption and for every centerpiece program that promotes and fosters social justice, equity and genuine development, especially in the countryside," Abante said. He also emphasized the alliance’s support for more socially and morally relevant legislation, but declared opposition to the Reproductive Health (RH) bill. “We, the Prolifers, strongly oppose and will vehemently resist any or all moves by any individual, group or institution to enact the RH bill into law, particularly the senseless spending of billions of pesos on contraceptives in the guise of responsible parenthood and ‘safe sex,’ the inclusion of sex education in the curriculum for children and minors, virtually usurping the divine responsibility of parents to teach their own children, as we urge our President to exercise his power to veto such, if and when this bill passes both Houses," Abante said. The CBCP said several Islamic groups are part of the coalition, including the Imam Council of the Philippines and the Bangsamoro Civil Society Alliance. “There are so many verses of the Koran that state about pro-life [principles]. Sabi sa Koran, don’t kill your children by fear of poverty. Huwag matakot because Allah will sustain you," said Eleem Said Akmad Basher, chairman of the Imam Council of the Philippines. “We believe that children are gifts from God, not accidents to be avoided. In nurturing and properly [upbringing] these gifts can we look forward to a bright future," added Bishop Reuben Abante of Baptist group Biblemode. “The challenge before us, from the anonymous Filipino father to the highest official in the land, is to provide for these, our children, until they become able. The call for the national leadership is for concrete action that promotes the faster generation of jobs that Filipino parents can be productive in, and education that helps parents raise children who know and practice good manners and right conduct, not how to avoid pregnancies," Abante said. "Procreation rightly remains a privilege reserved exclusively for married couples," he added. For his part, Lipa (Batangas) Archbishop Ramon Arguelles appealed for solidarity on the campaign for a culture of life. “Sana magsama-sama tayo na ipagtanggol ang buhay," he said. Humanae Vitae The encyclical or papal letter "Humanae Vitae" (Latin phrase meaning "of human life") was written by Pope Paul VI and issued on July 25, 1968. Subtitled "On the Regulation of Birth," the papal letter reaffirms the traditional teaching of the Catholic Church on married love, responsible parenthood, and birth control. The papal letter became highly controversial as it prohibits of all forms of artificial contraception. In 2008, Pope Benedict XVI said the Humanae Vitae was "so controversial, yet so crucial for humanity's future". Humanae Vitae became "a sign of contradiction but also of continuity of the Church's doctrine and tradition... What was true yesterday is true also today," he said. - VVP, GMA News