BACOLOD City, April 22, 2013—Underscoring once again the sanctity of life and the need to repeal the reproductive health law that undermine it, the Diocese of Bacolod is set to hold a grand rally against the measure at the Bacolod Public Plaza on April 27 from 1 to 6 pm.
In a circular letter, Bishop Vicente Navarra called on all parish priests, parochial vicars, chaplains, and rectors of churches, superiors of seminaries, institutes of consecrated and societies of apostolic life, heads of schools and law associations, and the Christian faithful of the diocese to join in the rally.
The bishop cited that the “Diocese of Bacolod has been consistent in its defense of the sanctity of human life in the face of the evil of Reproductive Health policy that some of our government leaders have been staunchly advocating”.
“The Church has been actively involved in raising the faithful’s awareness as regard the issue, both fervently praying and passionately educating, selflessly guiding the people in the right moral path that we should take as a nation,” Bishop Navarra stated in the circular letter.
Admitting that call to repeal the RH Law is an uphill battle, Navarra said that the faithful should be mindful of the fact that “we must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29), we shall carry on this mission, consoled with the knowledge that we are doing what Christ would have done in obedience to His Father’s will”.
The rally, he said, will openly manifest the Church’s defiance against the RH Law and make evident its maximum resistance against it.
The protest will begin from four different points marching towards the Bacolod public plaza where a program will be held. The assembly points are Capitol Lagoon for Northern Vicariates/Parishes; Sto. Niño Parish for Northeastern Vicariates/Parishes; Lupit Church for Southern Vicariates/Parishes; and Holy Family Parish, City Heights, for Southeastern Vicariates/Parishes.
“Let it be known that in speaking the truth, our Church became the target of the ire of some people. Every day we receive unimaginable threats, repulsive hate calls and spiteful insults, but we shall not falter in our true and certain faith-conviction,” Bishop Navarra said. (Nida Buenafe)
