In reaction to a recent survey that showed respondents favoring the use of artificial birth control methods, a Knight of Columbus official said it remains a big challenge for the Knights of Columbus in the Philippines (K of C) to keep on fighting against the House Bill No. 5043 or popularly known as Reproductive Health Bill.
“As Catholics, we must follow what the Church says ― natural methods such as rhythm method or plain abstinence. I agree it is a personal method. The difference lies in the range of options or alternatives to choose from.”
This was the statement given by Fr. George J. Willmann Charities Executive Director Roberto “Bobby” Cruz, in reaction on the recent SWS survey, which found out that a little over half of adults believed that the use of pills, condoms, and intra-uterine devices (IUD) cannot be considered as abortion.
Cruz stressed those who want information on legal methods need not totally represent those who intend to use artificial methods. And wanting information on government legal methods can be used to know what Filipino should not do and what they are fighting against.
Cruz added this information can be used as a means to convince non-believers to follow the Church’s teachings by empowering their campaign on the cause and effect of the RH Bill; to educate the next generations to be socially responsible leaders; and to evangelize fellow Filipinos that the Catholic faith is what they believe in and not what they simply have known.
The Fr. George J. Willmann Charities, Inc., the foundation arm of the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines (KCFAPI) strongly supports and cooperate all the fraternal, charitable, religious, patriotic and civic enterprises of the organization.
The Knights of Columbus has been at the forefront in the fight against measures that threaten the sanctity of life and family.
The K of C believes that using oral contraceptives (pills) may cause breast cancer. Pills are type 1 carcinogen like arsenic, a chemical element occurs in many minerals, usually in conjunction with sulfur and metals; and asbestos a mineral fiber that has been used commonly in a variety of building construction materials for insulation and as a fire-retardant.
Likewise, the K of C condemns the IUD, a small contraceptive device that is placed in the woman’s uterus, which may cause infections and smite.
The organization stands for responsible parenthood, which means Caring, Not Killing. It is the responsibility of the state and of the parents to care for the children… not to eliminate them.
Pro Life Advocacy
The issue on the RH bill has divided the country’s predominantly Catholic population and pitted the Catholic Church against the government that is pushing for its legislation.
Philippines is approximately 85 percent Christian and mostly Roman Catholic, 10 percent Muslim, and 5 percent ‘other’ religions.
During the 129th Knights of Columbus Convention held recently in Denver, Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President and Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar cited the presence of the Knights of Columbus in the country’s dioceses as a big boost in the Catholic Church’s pro-life advocacy.
In the country’s 85 ecclesiastical territories the over 260,000 member knights are active in their pro-life advocacies and promotion of the parish’s pastoral programs.
Luzon State Deputy Arsenio Isidro Yap plans to conduct symposiums, exhibits, and seminars that would enlighten the people on the value of life and the horrors of abortion.
Yap mentioned that each council of the Luzon Jurisdiction will be having its “Monument to the Unborn” to serve as a reminder that abortion is not only “a sin but a crime against life.”
As cited in the Philippine Constitution Article II, Section 12 -the State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution. It shall equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception. Yen Ocampo
