Church invokes prayer power against RH
MANILA, Philippines – Convinced of the power of prayer, the Catholic Church has issued an “oratio imperata” (mandatory prayer) to fight the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) bill.
Fr. Melvin Castro, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Family and Life (CBCP-ECFL), however, said that the oratio imperata is not only for RH but for the protection of human life in general.
He said different parishes started reciting the prayer last December 16 during the Simbang Gabi masses and is still being recited every Sunday depending on the diocese.
“It depends with the diocese. In Tarlac, Pampanga, Iba (Zambales) and Balanga (Bataan) it is being recited every Sunday,” said Castro.
The CBCP official also stressed that the issuance of the oratio does not indicate that they are losing the fight against the RH bill.
“On the contrary… More than anything it’s the prayer that will count a lot. This is just to create awareness among the people,” said Castro.
“I think the people are more pro-active because they are now aware because we are praying for the legislators,” he added.
Part of the oratio is written below:
“Let your Spirit enlighten the minds and open the hearts of those who do not yet fully respect all human life according to your will.
We pray for all our leaders and legislators who must deliberate assiduously on this critical present issue.
May they be guided by the grace of the Holy Spirit to act responsibly for the good and well-being of all.
May their competence be always steered by humility and fear of the Lord.”
The oratio imperata for the Respect of all Human Life was endorsed by the CBCP Permanent Council to the different arch/dioceses all over the country.
The Catholic Church has been opposing the passage of the Reproductive Health bill due to its promotion of artificial contraception among others.
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Comments
I Timoteo 3:1-5
Tapat ang pasabi, kung ang sinoman ay magsisikap na maging obispo, ay mabuting gawa ang ninanasa. Dapat nga na ang OBISPO ay walang kapintasan, ASAWA NG ISA LAMANG BABAE, mapagpigil, mahinahon ang pagiisip, mahusay, mapagpatuloy, sapat na makapagturo; Hindi magulo, hindi palaaway, kundi malumanay, hindi mapakipagtalo, hindi maibigin sa salapi; NAMAMAHALANG MABUTI NG KANIYANG SARILING SANGBAHAYAN, na sinusupil ang kaniyang mga anak na may buong kahusayan; (Nguni't kung ang SINOMAN NGA AY HINDI MARUNONG MAMAHALA SA KANIYANG SARILING SANGBAHAYAN PAANONG MAKAPAMAHALA SA IGLESIA NG DIOS?
ANG MGA PARI NGA BA AY MAY KARAPATANG MANGASIWA NG IGLESIA, KUNG DITO PA LANG SA PAMANTAYAN NG BIBLIA BAGSAK NA SILA?
I am not totally a supporter of anti-RH group, but I feel that Congress and the government in general cannot solve our internal problems by distributing condoms and pills. Our lawmakers should channel their resources and energies including their pork barrel in crafting laws that will truly address poverty, malnutrition, education... in the country. Our leaders should stop using the population as scapegoats to past failures. By the way, condoms are very available over the counter in convenient stores, malls etc..ligation etc are done in hospitals
Better economy will trigger lesser population because people will have more things to enjoy in life other than - - - We should stop looking at human persons as a problem.
ABSOLUTELY YES to the Catholic church correcting government policies! ABSOLUTELY YES as the barometer of morality, if not the Church then who? - you?, the government? then God save the Filipino People! ABSOLUTELY YES for justice to sexual abuse victims of the Catholic clergy! Wolves in sheep's clothing? I think we really have to discern who they really are by what each individual/institution has done in their/its lifetime before concluding who real wolves are.
The Philippines really need solution to her burgeoning population. Those that are very poor are also the one that has the most children. They need much help to be educated and assisted in not reproducing so many . It is unfair to the children. Vasectomy is the cheapest solution, the manly and macho answer. We now have more than enough people, traffic, crimes and diminishing food, jobs, housing, road, energy. Wake up. Bahala ng ang Diyos is a coward, lazy answer.
NO to the Catholic church interfering with government policies! NO to the Church as the barometer of morality! NO to sexual abuses by the clergy! NO to wolves in sheep's clothing!
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