MANILA, Nov. 8, 2010—Those who support the reproductive health bill are “lost” and do not have proper formation of conscience, the head of Manila Roman Catholic Church said Monday.
Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales said one of the country’s biggest problems is the lack of values, which is prevalent among public officials.
According to him, contraception issue wouldn’t be much of an issue had the country elected lawmakers with good conscience.
“There are consciences that are not well formed. They were not brought up properly and that is always certain,” said Rosales.
The cardinal made the statement in his homily during the closing Mass of the three-day 17th Asia-Pacific Congress on Faith, Life and Family held at the Dusit Hotel in Makati City.
A well-formed Christian conscience, he said, does not permit one to support for a political program or a law which contradicts the fundamental contents of faith and morals.
The Manila archbishop stressed that those who are directly involved in lawmaking bodies have a grave and clear obligation to oppose any law that attacks human life.
Whatever the decision of the lawmakers on the controversial measure, he said, would reflect on how they were brought up by their parents who are the “first teacher of conscience.”
Healthy conscience formation depends on a trusting relation with the parents, who must also learn how to be such a parent, he pointed out.
Rosales said it is great help for parents to maintain the good values at home and start teaching kids as early as possible.
“If you fail (in guiding your children properly), you will reap the kind of people that you have now in most of our institutions, including Congress,” Rosales said earning applause from the audience.
The cardinal said the Catholic hierarchy will continue to oppose the RH bill and other measures that would violate the moral law.
He also called on the lawmakers to make serious examination of conscience before they cast their vote in favor of the bill because their choice will have long-lasting consequences on the lives of Filipinos. (Roy Lagarde/CBCPNews)
CBCP News :: Official news service of Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines Media Office
Source URL (retrieved on 11/10/2010 - 04:30): http://www.cbcpnews.com/?q=node/13646
