The Church’s stand versus the RH Bill has become a sensitive issue causing some division among groups. But we should keep on the search for the truth. After all it is the “truth that sets us free” (cf. Jn. 8:32).
First of all, the Church’s official position has been and is consistently opposed to artificial contraceptives and abortion. Why? Because it is pro life and follows God’s original decree: “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and conquer it” (Gen. 1:22). The Church’s position and belief are in favor of a disciplined family morality and openness to life in the sexual relations of man and woman united in faithful monogamous marital union.
They talk of overpopulation but what will happen as effect of undue population control? It will be a sort of depopulation tending towards humanity’s extinction. Observe the places where contraceptives are extensively practiced. Sure there is such feeling of satisfaction and being unrestrained in immoral practices in a great number of places, but the people’s strength is being sapped when there are no more younger people who would eventually be the support of the older generation.
It is ironical to observe the phenomenon of the more progressive powerful nations insinuating through monetary allurements and offers, plus some veiled coercion so as to make the poorer developing nations control their populations. Perhaps the latent motives may be to get hold of the natural resources of the underdeveloped countries and have political control over them.
Certainly the issues have somehow become divisive and emotional. At least we must try to seek out the truth of the whole issue at hand. St. Padre Pío had mentioned this: “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” (from the book Padre Pío the Stigmatist, written by Fr. Charles Mortimar Carty, p. 104). Psalm 71:15 somehow expresses this inadequacy of man in front of Divine truth. It says: “I will tell of your goodness; all day long I will speak of your salvation, though it is more than I can understand.”
Surely this issue is sensitive since some prominent legislators have been requesting to be exempted from Church sanctions. But there’s nothing personal or emotional there. The Church speaks authoritatively within her realm of faith and morals. Canon law gives some sanctions. But deep in your heart you know you cannot escape from God’s justice. “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31). It is for your own eternal well-being when the Church exhorts us to follow God’s eternal decrees. Man is destined, with God’s help and mercy, for an eternal bliss unless he loses it through his own fault and pride if he dares abuse of God’s goodness. Let’s not forget the hidden agenda of Satan who keeps on busily campaigning for more inmates to the shady dungeons of Hell.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
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).
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.
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).
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.
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.
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