MANILA, May 30, 2011— A CBCP official has found another way of letting the people know of the ill effects that might be caused by a proposed bill on contraceptives, and it is through intensifying the marriage preparation seminar for engaged couples.
Fr. Melvin Castro, executive secretary of the CBCP’s Commission on Family and Life, said there is an urgent need for the parents to be educated on real responsible parenthood.
This can be done, he said, through an intensified campaign during the Pre-Cana seminar where the would-be couples are required to attend prior to their Church wedding.
He said the seminar has long been a program of the Church but many couples do not take it seriously because they are more focused on just getting wed.
“So dapat bago ikasal malinaw na kung ilang anak ba ang kakayanin sa status ng kanilang kabuhayan,†Castro said. “But others don’t listen to the inputs.â€
The CBCP official hopes that by intensifying the Pre-Cana seminar, it would introduce the teachings of the Church to the couples for them to be aware and be responsible.
“Iba na rin ang style ngayon instead of just giving inputs, and Pre-Cana ngayon nagda-dialogue na agad ang mag-asawa kung ano ang gagawin para maiwasan ang conflict,†he said.
The Church has traditionally taken the view that artificial contraception is contrary to the teachings of the bible.
In Pre-Cana seminars, it teaches its flock that spouses who want to plan the size of their families should use the natural family planning method.
“Unfortunately, ang government kasi bago magbigay ng marriage license, meron din seminar na kailangan daanan at ang ituturo naman sa kanila artificial (family planning),†said Castro. (CBCPNews)
