Philippine government will not support reproductive health measures
January 25, 2011
Following meetings with Church officials, the government of President Benigno Aquino III has decided not to endorse controversial reproductive health measures in the nation’s legislature, according to Philippine press reports.
Instead, the administration is lending its support to a responsible parenthood bill that does not set population targets and does not mention contraception. The government-backed bill will set poverty reduction targets.
Responsible parenthood-- a phrase used in Pope Paul VI’s encyclical Humanae Vitae-- is “a principle of generosity,” said Archbishop Paciano Aniceto. “Couples are not obliged by the Church to bring into the world children they can’t raise as citizens of God, but they should also not be stingy or selfish in bringing children into the world.”
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Further information:
- Church, Malacañang agree on family planning agenda (Manila Standard Today)
- Palace drafts new RH bill, elates bishops (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
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