MANILA, Jan. 25, 2011—The Catholic Church is stepping up its campaign against contraception by increasing its efforts to promote natural family planning (NFP).
In Manila, priests and religious will undergo a reorientation seminar on NFP for them to be more effective in convincing couples to practice the method.
The church is not only stressing that artificial contraception violates Catholic teaching but that it harms women’s bodies and the environment.
In a circular dated Jan. 17, Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales called on his priests to attend the seminar set on two dates to give them enough opportunity.
The seminar entitled “Appreciating the Gift of NFP†is scheduled on Feb. 8 and 22 at the San Carlos Seminary Auditorium in Makati City.
It will be facilitated by the John Paul II Natural Family Planning Center of the Commission on Family and Life of the Archdiocese of Manila.
“This is part of our pro-active response to the challenge of fostering a genuine civilization of life and love,†Rosales said.
The cardinal stressed the need for the seminar on NFP as discussions and debates on the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) bill are heating up.
“But whether the bill gains passage or not, it remains a pastoral priority of the Church to provide our faithful with the best positive moral alternative available to promote responsible parenthood,†he said.
“As information and formation continue regarding the true nature and intent of the bill, opposition against it increases as well,†he said.
The Catholic hierarchy has consistently opposed the use of artificial contraception methods like condoms and pills. (CBCPNews)
