MANILA, Sept. 5, 2012— Fr. Melvin Castro has downplayed support by some professors from another Catholic university to the reproductive health (RH) bill.
Castro, executive secretary of the CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on Family and Life, said they have anticipated that some professors of the De La Salle University (DLSU) will also come out to support the measure.
According to him, it is just another strategy by RH lobbyists and their supporters to “pressure” the Congress to pass the bill.
“We are not in any way alarmed,” Castro said. “It only goes to show that the RH bill’s content is not really clear to others.”
Forty-seven faculty members of DLSU, this week, have endorsed the passage of the RH bill, which seeks billions in public funds to purchase and distribute artificial contraceptives nationwide.
Earlier in July, 160 professors of the Ateneo De Manila University also signed a petition calling for the immediate passage of the bill.
However, what is important, according to Castro, is that those running the said Catholic institutions are with the Church in its campaign against the RH bill.
“It is because the church’s teachings are clear to them and that they know what they’re supposed to do on this issue,” he said.
“They (professors) are contradicting the position of the very institution that they represent. It should really be addressed by their direct employers,” added Castro. [RL/CBCPNews]
