CBCP chief sees rough sailing for bills on divorce, gay marriage in PHL

Rough sailing in Congress awaits the bills on divorce and gay marriage in the Philippine Congress, the head of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines said Wednesday.

 

CBCP president and Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said such measures may go the way of the Reproductive Health law, which languished years before Congress passed it last year.

 

“While after many years the RH bill was passed, I don’t believe that the other bills would come easy,” Palma said in an article posted on the CBCP news site.

 

He added that even if divorce, gay marriage and abortion are legal in other countries, “I think the Philippines is not that excited to follow immediately.”

 

The 15th Congress is expected to adjourn this weekend, to give way to the 16th Congress.

 

The Catholic Church, which up to now contests the RH measure due to its provision allowing artificial contraception, also opposes divorce and same-sex union.

 

Palma claimed the Church is gaining ground in its fight against abortion.

 

It is also advancing in its efforts to fight measures that attack the sanctity of life, marriage and family.

 

On the other hand, he said there is a "change of beliefs among the Filipinos against these kinds of laws.”

 

Meanwhile, at the National Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Palma said on Saturday the Church may strengthen its advocacy for family and life.

 

“As we look forward to the 2016 International Eucharistic Congress and when we think of program up to 2021, the fifth centenary celebrations of Christianity in the Philippines, I believe that these will help in bringing the change we need,” he said. —KG, GMA News