Thursday, November 25, 2010

RH Bill Contradictions

It’s about time we check how really the RH Bill would help the Philippines. First of all, it would be rather negative to focus on the overpopulation aspect when really, people and persons aptly formed and educated are an asset to the republic. Such popular personalities as Manny Pacquiao or the late Cardinal Jaime Sin did not belong to the suggested two-child family (Sec. 17 of the RH). Pacquiao is third of several children; Cardinal Sin was 14th of 16 children, and so with many famous personalities.

The title itself of the bill seems to project itself as being concerned for the health and welfare of women. Yet the promotion of artificial contraceptives and abortifacients are terminating numberless lives of future men and women, and even misconstruing the position of woman as if she were only an instrument of pleasure. The name mentions reproductive health but even for that aspect such is not reasonable logic when we say we care for the mother’s health but not for the life of the child. And as regards contraceptives, it is not even firmly established that there are no side effects for the mother. The RH Bill pretends to be on the side of the health of the mother and the child but it advocates ways that can terminate life (sec. 7), such as abortion and abortifacients. Is that true love and care of our people’s lives or a hypocrisy of corruption — And by prescribing sex education in the primary grades (Sec. 13), the RH Bill would be scandalizing the young and innocent, who may be reared better regarding sexual morality in the natural atmosphere of the family. The Bible threatens with divine punishment those who occasion scandal for the young and innocent. “Scandals will inevitably arise, but woe to him through whom they come. He would be better off thrown into the sea with a millstone around his neck than giving scandal to one of these little ones” (Lk. 17:1-2). The title Reproductive Health implies an improvement of the quality and preservation of human life, but the use or promotion of abortifacient contraceptives (Sec 7) actually destroys life. Isn’t that a contradiction?

We must search and seek truly what is for the good of our people, both in body and spirit, and not be corrupted by the anti-life agencies offering sums of money. The Bible tells us two gospel truths we must keep in mind. “The love of money is the root of all evils. Some men in their passion for it have strayed from the faith and have come to grief amid great pain” (1 Tim. 6:10). This is a serious matter so people who do not care about God’s laws and the dictates of conscience must beware since God knows our inmost thoughts and desires. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31).

Monday, November 22, 2010

Free Choice Subtleties

(w/ supplementary on Excommunication)

Just as saying “You cannot have the cake and eat it too,” the same is with people who talk of “free choice” but will not accept the consequences of their acts. The final two destinies of man which are either the eternal reward of happiness in heaven or the eternal sufferings of the fires of hell, depend on the choices we make in the acts which we do in our transitory earthly life. Jesus suffered so much on the cross to save us from eternal death in hell and the Church follows that same mission of Jesus, a mission of truth and love, to save man from Hell and achieve the heavenly reward. The final goal is always above all in our efforts of achieving total fulfillment in our life and personhood. Let’s avoid the dreadful pitfall of Hell. The Bible warns us: “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31).

Below is the supplementary excerpt taken from the book, The Facts of Life, by Dr. Brian Clowes, Ph.D., member of the Human Life International, pp. 220-221.

The Canon and its Requirements.
Canon 2350 states that all who procure abortion shall be automatically excommunicated.
Canon Law Number 1398 states, quite simply, in Latin and English:
Qui abortum procurat, effectu secuto, in excommunicationem, latae sententiae, incurrat – “Those who successfully abort [a living human fetus] bring on themselves instant excommunication.”
Latae sententiae means the person brings instant excommunication upon himself or herself with his act. No solemn pronouncement need be made by the Church or a bishop or priest, and no one else need even know about the abortion. For automatic excommunication to take place, the woman (and those who cooperate in the abortion) must meet three conditions:

(1) They must know that abortion is a mortal sin. Most Catholics have probably never heard this preached from the pulpit. However, if a person reads about or hears of the Church’s teachings on abortion from any source, he or she has been informed. Even if a person does not agree with or accept the teachings, he or she knows the Church teaches that abortion is a mortal sin.

(2) The woman and those who cooperate in the abortion must know or suspect
She is pregnant. Many women use abortifacients, including oral contraceptives, Norplant, mini-pills, Depo-Provera and intrauterine devices (IUDs), and may be aborting several babies a year. It is important to note that the woman must have full knowledge of her act. Most people (even many doctors) are completely unaware of the abortifacient effects of these devices and drugs and therefore generally would not be liable to excommunication. If a woman knows a method is abortifacient and uses it anyway, she risks excommunication.

(3) The woman must freely choose abortion. This does not mean she can interpret a boyfriend’s, husband’s or parent’s disapproval of her pregnancy as coercion; she must make a vigorous and positive attempt to avoid abortion, no matter how much pressure she feels. If she believes that she is in danger of physical harm, she should turn to other family members or social service or law enforcement agencies for assistance. In protecting her preborn child, she must exert the same degree of effort she would if the child were an infant or toddler.

Effectu secuto means the excommunication takes place only if the abortion is completed. At the moment the woman’s child dies, she is cut off completely from all the Sacraments, and cannot return unless she sincerely repents and makes a good confession.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Rectitude Guarantee

(official stand)

So many intellectuals and bright guys entering the fray of protracted disputes in connection with the issue of artificial contraceptives, abortion, and sexual morality. Such a din and babel that people will be presently asking: “and where are we now?” We all know, however, deep in our conscience, that God knows all things, He rewards the good and punishes evildoers.

The Church’s stand against the use of artificial contraceptives and abortion has been held firmly since time immemorial and clearly stated at the famed Encyclical Humanae Vitae (1968) of Pope Paul VI. In all the mingled controversies, definitely we do not question man’s innate freedom. Man is free to choose between heaven or hell, salvation or damnation. But he has to act according to a properly formed and informed conscience. As Pope Pius XII explained, “Conscience is a pupil, not a teacher.” It is not enough that an action “feels right,” a person must know what the Church teaches about it and honestly assess the situation, after sufficient prayer and reflection. And of course, no one in any instance may commit acts that are intrinsically evil – such as contraception, abortion, sterilization, adultery or sodomy – regardless of what his “conscience” tells him.

The Canon and its Requirements.
Canon 2350 states that all who procure abortion shall be automatically excommunicated.
Canon Law Number 1398 states, quite simply, in Latin and English:
Qui abortum procurat, effectu secuto, in excommunicationem, latae sententiae, incurrat – “Those who successfully abort [a living human fetus] bring on themselves instant excommunication.”
Latae sententiae means the person brings instant excommunication upon himself or herself with his act. No solemn pronouncement need be made by the Church or a bishop or priest, and no one else need even know about the abortion. For automatic excommunication to take place, the woman (and those who cooperate in the abortion) must meet three conditions:

(1) They must know that abortion is a mortal sin. Most Catholics have probably never heard this preached from the pulpit. However, if a person reads about or hears of the Church’s teachings on abortion from any source, he or she has been informed. Even if a person does not agree with or accept the teachings, he or she knows the Church teaches that abortion is a mortal sin.

(2) The woman and those who cooperate in the abortion must know or suspect
She is pregnant. Many women use abortifacients, including oral contraceptives, Norplant, mini-pills, Depo-Provera and intrauterine devices (IUDs), and may be aborting several babies a year. It is important to note that the woman must have full knowledge of her act. Most people (even many doctors) are completely unaware of the abortifacient effects of these devices and drugs and therefore generally would not be liable to excommunication. If a woman knows a method is abortifacient and uses it anyway, she risks excommunication.

(3) The woman must freely choose abortion. This does not mean she can interpret a boyfriend’s, husband’s or parent’s disapproval of her pregnancy as coercion; she must make a vigorous and positive attempt to avoid abortion, no matter how much pressure she feels. If she believes that she is in danger of physical harm, she should turn to other family members or social service or law enforcement agencies for assistance. In protecting her preborn child, she must exert the same degree of effort she would if the child were an infant or toddler.

Effectu secuto means the excommunication takes place only if the abortion is completed. At the moment the woman’s child dies, she is cut off completely from all the Sacraments, and cannot return unless she sincerely repents and makes a good confession.

People of conscience desire to know the truth since they are concerned of the welfare of their souls and that of others. So they seek a guarantee of the truth amid all these hullabaloo of voices and opinions. They know they must seek the security of their souls’ ultimate salvation. They heed Christ’s voice who tells them: “What will it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul in the end” (Mt. 16:26). It’s not here a matter of the opinions of the “wise guys” [or false prophets, ravenous wolves who come disguised as sheep] (cf. Mt. 7:15), but the official stand of the Church to which Jesus Christ has affixed the guarantee of truth and rectitude. “Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven” (Mt. 16:18).

Friday, November 19, 2010

Two-Child, One-Child Policies

Some governments try to impose policies to control population, as the above title suggests. But that doesn’t fall under government power to make such imposition. The privacy rights are within the threshold of the families of the citizens. A democratic government is a government of the people, for the people, and by the people.

If the terms in the title above were imposed on the people, most of us would be here non-existent. Why? Because many of us are either third or more among the brothers and sisters born from the same parents. Cardinal Jaime Sin spoke of himself as the 14th in a family of 16 children; the recent glamorized hero Manny Pacquiao is third among the children. So the question is--- why are they (from the 1st world) so keen on controlling the population of the 3rd world? People, well formed and educated, are the best assets of a republic, even good citizens of an earthly city or future citizens of God’s kingdom. Why and what’s behind the negative culture of death that aims to control population through abortifacients and abortion? Is it for power, money, or control of natural resources?

To be or not to be, that’s the question. Isn’t it better to follow God’s law that tells us: “So always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that is the meaning of the Law and the Prophets” (Mt. 7:12). That’s what one common proverb means to tells us--- “Live and let live.” We should live the life we choose and allow others to do the same. That’s what we expect from a true democratic government, one that respects the basic rights and freedoms of the citizens, not one that thrives on hurling threats to the people because of its own insecurity and lack of backbone. Or because it’s enticed or pressured through monetary enticements or even blackmail coercion from the bigger powers.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Mas Matan Cenas Que Guerras

(more people die from lavish meals than from wars)

We do intend to be pro-life and defenders of life. But if we really are so, let’s look into one forgotten angle. It’s the angle of our food intake. We really think that food is a solution. Yes, that’s true, if taken in moderation. But not when taking improper foods that may harm one’s health.

Look at life nowadays. People sick or dying. And why? Because so much toxins have been fed into our bodies, either by too much food in over-eating, or wrong selection of foods and the many toxins fed into our bodies. Too many toxins cause the diseases and strokes of our day that paralyze the human body. You know where the word toxin comes from. It actually means poison, if taken to excess or because of elements in the food that are not conducive to the health of the human organism. Even the blockages of toxins in the channels connecting the brain to other parts of the body will result in the paralysis, technically termed apoplexy or stroke.

The reaction of people is to have recourse to the safer and more natural foods and cures. People are beginning to discover that natural cures are safer for the health of man. One method which we should not overlook, and is already popularized in India, where it began, and many other parts of the world is: urine therapy. You can even locate this at the Internet websites (many articles may be accessed there).

This is how the doctor and consultant from India described it, as follows in the book – The Golden Fountain: The Complete Guide to Urine Therapy by Coen van der Kroon. Dr. Chandrika Prasad Mishra has this to say: “By the grace of God Almighty and with blessings and good wishes of associates, collaborators, colleagues, and sincere friends like yourself (referring to the author of the book Coen van der Kroon), together with the unique strength of this God-gifted nectar (Shivambu), I have successfully cured or eradicated numerous illnesses, acute as well as chronic, without any difficulty. These include illnesses such as asthma, diabetes, gout (rheumatism), high blood pressure, etc., in addition to various common and dreaded diseases such as cancer, AIDS, heart ailments, etc.” Another urine consultant, Balkrishna Laxman Nalavabe, also from India, in a letter to Coen van der Kroon, also published in page 89 of the same book, has this to say: “Among the various natural methods of treatment, urine therapy is the most simple, effective and safe, and it is available 24 hours a day.”

Saturday, November 6, 2010

The MSPC XIV Statement

(RH Bill Perspective)

In the 14th Mindanao Sulu Pastoral Conference (MSPC) held in Digos Diocese last Oct. 18-22, 2010, and attended by a cross-section of the Catholics in Mindanao belonging to the 21 ecclesiastical jurisdictions (archdioceses, dioceses, prelatures, and vicariates), there were in all 213 delegates composed of Archbishops, Bishops, Priests, Religious men and women, and Lay faithful. The topics centered on the Word of God, Creation and Peace. For the sake of brevity, we just select one item in the approved statement which is connected to the ongoing controversy of the RH Bill which presumably seems to acquiesce to the idea of artificial contraceptives and abortion, whether directly or indirectly, overtly or covertly.

Namely the section asserting the following: “In the name of God, the Giver of Life, we condemn in unequivocal terms: Everything and every act which harms, endangers, destroys and kills life: extra-judicial liquidations, terrorism, drug pushing; artificial contraception, sterilization and abortion; thus everything and every act which prevents the conception and birth of human life.”

In the newspapers we read of contrary opinions asserting that people could use their conscience even for acts contrary to the Church legislations, if and when their conscience tells them so. This is where the warning of Jesus directs us to beware of false prophets (teachers) who come under the guise of sheep but are really ravening wolves tempting to erroneous ways that would end in spiritual ruin and eternal damnation (see Mt. 7:15). Instead of teaching the “narrow gate and hard road to life and salvation” (Mt. 7:14), they do seem to be permissively tolerant, yet such is the way deception creeps in. Surely conscience has to be formed and guided by God’s word and the official voice of the Church. We have the guarantee of truth and right when we respect and follow God’s word and instruction as Jesus told Peter, the first pope, after Peter acknowledged Jesus as Messiah and Son of the living God: “Simon, son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter (the original petros means rock) and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven” (Mt. 16:17-20).

It’s good to remind ourselves of an angle St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina once pointed out: “Faith is not to be argued over, either you accept it with your eyes closed, admitting the inadequacy of the human mind to understand its mysteries, or you reject it. There is no middle way. The choice is up to you.” We may quote St. Augustine: “Rome locuta est causa finite est” (translate: Rome has spoken, the issue is ended).

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Final Exams of Life

We usually tend to become apprehensive or fearful when we face the final exams of our scholastic studies. But what about facing God’s final judgment at the end of our lives when the final reward or punishment is either heaven or hell, depending on your behavior in this passing life (see Mt. 25:31-46). Perhaps we should really think it over, why did God’s only begotten Son, Jesus, who came to our world as man, why did He have to suffer such cruel sufferings at His passion and crucifixion? It was a sacrifice for the love of each one of us. He paid for our sins and opened heaven’s gate for us. He died to save us, but still we have to do our part of repentance and conversion and live the new life in Christ, a life of justice, love, mercy, prayer, and forgiveness.

Surely, it is because when one is punished in the fires of Hell for grave sins, the torments there are for an eternity while the rewards in the heavenly bliss are also forever and ever as reward of a life faithful to God’s laws and commands. No wonder Jesus had left us a clear admonition: “What, then, will a man gain if he wins the whole world and ruins his life? Or what has a man to offer in exchange for his life? (Mt. 16:26). With the help of God’s grace we can change. St. Paul was previously a rabid persecutor of Christians. At the time when his life changed he exclaimed: “By the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Cor. 15:10).