MAASIN City, March 17, 2011?Around 7,000 faithful from various parishes in the Diocese of Maasin braved rains and tsunami alert to manifest their opposition to the reproductive health bill.
Maasin Bishop Precioso Cantillas, SDB led the rally, dubbed Prayer for Life and the Family held on March 12 at the Maasin Bus terminal.
“We thank God for despite the seemingly not so favorable weather and the threat of the tsunami, we are here to pray to God that indeed, with the help of our Patroness, Our Lady of the Assumption, the proponents of the RH Bill will understand the truth that God’s will is the law of this world, and to follow His will gives us life,†said Cantillas.
The bishop urged the people to make a choice for life, for family and for God.
“As optimistic as I am, I welcome the challenge of the RH Bill. This is a chance for me to make my faith in God clear to everyone,†he said.
Present also during the rally were local government officials who are against the reproductive health bill.
Saint Bernard Mayor Rico Rentuza said the RH bill is not the solution to the problems that the proponents are raising.
The government should instead address the root causes of poverty and provide medical services to indigents to stop maternal deaths, he said.
There is a need for a continuing education of parents especially the young couple and strengthen the family as the best environment as to mould responsible citizens and God-loving individuals, he furthered.
Diocesan Chancellor Msgr. Marnito Bansig, PC, read a decree creating the Diocesan Pro-Life Center aimed to aid parents to raise their children to become truly Christians.
The rallyists capped the event by destroying an effigy of RH bill followed by a procession around the city.
“We are making history here. Each one of us is a part of history here. Especially that we are set to launch the decade of renewed evangelization to mark our preparations for the 500 year-anniversary of the First Mass in Limasawa,†Cantillas told the crowd.
“As we go home let us keep in our hearts the loving gaze of Mary. Such awareness of such love of the Blessed Mother for us is enough consolation after the long day, and after a long trip,†he said at the closing rites held in front of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption.
Maasin Diocese is composed of 6 towns in the province of Leyte and 19 coastal towns and a city in Southern Leyte. (CBCPNews)
