Birth control issue tests state-Church relations

STRAINS in the relationship between the Catholic Church in the Philippines and the government have become more pronounced in 2010 following the election of President Benigno Aquino III.

Early in his campaign for the presidency, Aquino made statements backing proposals to pass reproductive health measures that include the promotion of contraceptives, a move frowned upon by the Church.

“It would not be morally permissible to vote for candidates who support anti-family policies, including reproductive health,” the Catholic bishops conference said in its “Cathechism on Family and Life for the 2010 Elections.”

The bishops warned Aquino that he would “likely lose major votes if Catholics take seriously a call from their Church leaders not to vote for candidates supporting birth control.” But the warning failed. Aquino won the polls by a landslide, giving strength to pro-reproductive health bill legislators.

What came next was a word war between officials of the Church, who argued that the growing population is not the culprit in the country’s economic plight, and the government, which said birth control would address poverty.

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