MANILA, June 7, 2011— The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has tapped Catholic bloggers to strengthen its fight against a measure on contraceptives.
The CBCP has been seeking to engage more with the online world particularly in its campaign against the reproductive health (RH) bill.
On Tuesday, officials of the CBCP’s media affairs met with several bloggers, increasingly aware of the role that faith-based blogging is playing in spreading Catholicism.
“Let’s make a new media. Let’s crusade for a new media founded on solid grounds,†Quitorio told the bloggers during the meeting.
“Media is not only about talking or writing, it’s more than that. In our context (as Catholics), it’s about delivering Christ’s message,†he said.
The meeting, said CBCP Media Office Director Msgr. Pedro Quitorio, was not designed as a how-to seminar, but rather to acknowledge the role of blogs in modern communications.
However, many participants offered their own thoughts on the appropriate approach for Catholics engaged in blogging.
Carlos Antonio Palad, a young professional and blogger, cited the need to be pro-active in campaigning against the RH bill.
“Do not be afraid. Let’s engage our enemies (in the RH bill debate),†Palad said.
Quitorio said the meeting was also aimed at creating a network of volunteer bloggers who will spread the “Gospel of Life†in the cyberspace.
Last month, the CBCP has launched an online portal resources on pertinent issues related to family and life issues.
The portal (www.cbcpforlife.com) also contains independent position papers, as well as scientific and medical documents that back its stand against the RH bill.
“So another reason is that we are trying to create a voluntary support system to that (portal),†Quitorio said.
“What we want is not just media in the Church but media as Christians,†he said. (CBCPNews)
