Priests blamed for Filipinos’ ignorance of RH bill

CATHOLIC priests are to blame for people’s ignorance regarding birth control issues, according to a leading lawyer.

Romulo Macalintal, an anti-abortion advocate, said many Catholics don’t know what the controversial reproductive health (RH) bill is about because priests do not mention the issue in their homilies.

“People don’t understand it that’s why when they are asked to answer surveys they don’t know what they are answering,” Macalintal said.

He said priests should include birth control issue in their homilies.

“I appeal to priests to please include the RH issue in your daily homilies and discuss it with your parishioners,” said the lawyer, lector and commentator from the Last Supper of Our Lord Parish in Las Piñas City.

He said some priests are too “shy” to discuss the issue, while others don’t know how to explain it properly.

Macalintal advised these priests to get lay leaders to explain the issue to the faithful.

He said the inclusion of the RH issue in homilies will not only help parishioners but also help boost the fight against the bill now pending in the Philippine congress.

“I think our fight will be strengthened if our priests give us their total support through their homily,” he said.

Jose Atienza Jr., former mayor of Manila and an official of Pro-Life Philippines, also said priests need to discuss the bill more.

“I agree that priests put into practice their responsibility to guide their flock in their parishes on basic moral and spiritual issues,” Atienza said.

Report from ucanews.com