Bishops to Catholics: Display anti-RH stickers, posters

Weeks after reproductive health (RH) bill supporters started distributing pro-RH bill stickers, pro-life advocates, led by bishops, urged Catholics to display anti-RH stickers outside houses and on vehicles. The bishops also urged Catholics tie red ribbons on their houses or vehicles as a sign of their opposition to the RH bill. Former Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president and Jaro (Iloilo) Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said in an interview on Church-run Radyo Veritas, said “We already have it in all our parish churches and there are several houses with posters and placards against the bill." Lagdameo said the campaign aims to show the government that many families are against the measure. Cotabato Auxiliary Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo urged families to place red ribbons outside their homes because the color red “symbolizes life." “We chose life rather than death," Bagaforo said. Former Manila Mayor Jose Atienza Jr., former chairman emeritus of Pro-Life Philippines, earlier called on Filipinos to show their objection against the bill through posters and placards. He said this is part of a “silent protest" not just by Catholics but by other religious groups who value life. “Filipinos should show President Aquino and the lawmakers their strong opposition and sentiments against the RH bill," Atienza said. The Catholic Church is against the RH bill as it promotes the use of artificial contraceptives. The Church accepts only natural methods of family planning. RH bill supporter The bishops' call came weeks after RH bill supporter Carlos Celdran distributed pro-RH bill stickers in Manila, including an area in front of the Quiapo Church in Manila. Celdran had gotten into trouble with the Catholic Church for disrupting a religious service at the Manila Cathedral last year. On September 30 last year, Celdran made headlines for disrupting a prayer service at the Manila Cathedral by posing as national hero Dr. Jose Rizal and referring to bishops opposing the RH bill as "Damaso" - a reference to a priest in Rizal's novel who fathered a child. Celdran was cited for violating a law which prohibits “offending religious feelings," an offense punishable by imprisonment. Article 133 of the Revised Penal Code says "the penalty of arresto mayor in its maximum period to prision correccional in its minimum period shall be imposed upon anyone who, in a place devoted to religious worship or during the celebration of any religious ceremony, shall perform acts notoriously offensive to the feelings of the faithful." This year, Celdran was seen tearing down an anti-RH bill tarpaulin at the CBCP head office in Manila. - VVP, GMA News