Am a proud Catholic servant-leader

Am a proud Catholic servant-leader


Of late, I attended a forum about population dynamics and government resources. I presented my position as regards the hotly debated Reproductive Health Bill. I admit that my position is basically an echo of the stand of my church, the Catholic Church.

I pointed out that there are certain flaws in the bill. Among them is the not-so-clear view about the reckoning period of the protection of human life. I stood by my ground that human life begins at conception and hence the unborn child is human and possesses rights. Although the bill speaks of abortion as a crime but I suspect that it may be wantonly resorted to when the unborn child is deemed not a human being.

I also explained that I support that natural way of family planning. My church abhors the contraceptive mentality. The government seems to be pointing to population problem as the cause of poverty, street children, unemployment, and other social evils. What population problem is the government talking about? Probably, it is a narrow view to claim that there is over population when such is seen only as a problem in Metro Manila. In many of our provinces, there are many tracts of land that are not habited. If the country is overpopulated then these vacant lots should have been massively occupied by our people.

During another round table discussion, I presented the same position about the Reproductive Health Bill. I observed that that some of my listeners, who even claimed they are Catholics, frowned upon my ideas. They said that I was pontificating. I resisted the idea and said that I was only faithful and was showing my fidelity to the Gospel of Life and the teachings of the Church.

It is an unfortunate phenomenon that some of the clergy even support candidates who are pro-Reproductive Health Bill. They seem not to realize that the bill is anti-family and anti-life. I beg for their forgiveness if I say that they are showing their ignorance about the Catholic Faith and are still influenced by the antics of traditional politicians.

Everyone, before elections, calls for change and demands honesty in our leaders. I was being honest with my thoughts and I was trying my best to contribute my fair share in changing the political life in this country for the better. I don’t really mind if they don’t appreciate the effort. Be that as it may, it is a consoling thought that I remain firm with my faith and continue to live an authentic life as a Catholic.