I received the following SMS, for your information please:
"A group called Catholics 4 RH organized a National Conference of Catholics for RH on March 17, 8am - 4pm at GT Toyota Asian Center in UP. Simulcast Cebu Tacloban Davao Baguio plus community based gatherings in 11 provinces. The main objectinve: to bring out the voices of Filipino Catholics by providing venue for them and clergy to exchange experiences and views on RH." Riza Bondal
Below are more details.
Sorry failed to include:
At the end of the day Synthesis and Closing Remarks, Dr. Edelina dela Paz, National Coordinator, Catholics for RH.
Some Comments: How do we know if the priest who might speak in favor of RH is really a priest? Baka impostor!
Just to give you an idea of what they are up to on March 17 National Conference of Catholics for Reproductive Health
1. Kinds of participants who are welcome to the activity based on options indicated in the reply slip of those who receive the invitation
a. A Catholic, open minded and willing to learn more about the RH
b. Not Catholic/ no longer Catholic, but will send a Catholic [[who perhaps can be converted to their cause]]
2. Speakers
a. Welcome Remarks and Objectives: Benjamin de Leon, President forum for FP and Development
b. Keynote address: Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago (To be confirmed)
c. Part I Conversation-Perspectives of Catholic Clergies on Reproductive Health (I don't know these people, but can the Heirarchy prevent clergy/religious with dissenting position not to speak as though they are representing the Church?)
(1) Fr. Jose Tacain, Bishop of Dili, East Timor
(2) Fr. Julian Cruzalta, Dominican Friar of the Ecclesiatical Observatory, Mexico
(3) Sr. Nenita Tapia (To be confirmed)
(4) Fr. Percy Juan Bacani, Vicar Missionaries of Jesus, Phil.
Facilitaor: Dr. Ernesto Pernia-U.P. Econ Professor [What has an economist to do with the clergy?]
d. Part II Filipino Catholics and Reproductive Health
(1) Culture, Religion and the State of Reproductive Health in the Phil., Dr. Michael Tan, Dean, UP College of Social Science and Philo.
(2) Biomedical Ethics of RH, Dr. Marita V. Reyes, Professor, UP College of Medicine
e. Part III Challenges of the RH Advocacy in the Philippines
MANILA
(1) Separation of Church and State: Constitutionalist and Theologist, Fr. Joaquin Bernas, Dean Emeritus, Ateneo School of Law
(2) Advocating RH in Government, Hon. Enrique Ona, Secretary, Department of Health
(3) Fighting for RH rights: Salient Features of the RH Bill, Hon. Edcel Lagman, Congressman
Voices from the Ground
Workshop and Action Planning. Focus questions:
What RH issues do you feel strongly about and what can you do about it?
If you support RH, may we ask for a statement of support for RH and the RH bill?
PROVINCES
(1) Local situationer by pro-RH local government leader
(2) Statements: 1 RH author & 1 LGU or Clergy or CSO
(3)RH Bill Authors (Cong. Luz Ilagan, Palatino, Bag-ao, Garin, Baguilat, etc.)
Voices from the Ground
same focus questions as Manila.
