With
an estimated 73 million members the Philippine Church is the largest in
Asia.
Its leaders were in Rome this week for their first ever Ad Limina
visit with Pope Benedict XVI and over the course of the last few days
groups of bishops from across the 86 current diocese met with the
Pope as well as with Curia officials to discuss the life of the Church
in the archipelago and the challenges it faces.
On Thursday they
kick-started this series of meetings at the Council for Christian Unity,
where they were eager to discuss their “May they be one campaign” in
conjunction with other Christian churches in the nation.
Auxilliary
Bishop Broderick Pabillo of Manila says the aim of the project was to
“put a bible in every Filipino home”, to promote greater awareness of
the Christian faith among believers so they can give a stronger witness
to Gospel values in society.
Despite the fact that over 90% of
the population claim to be Christian often Christian values are not
translated into social action. This week in Manila, Congress began
debating the latest version of the proposed “Reproductive Health Bill”,
which is opposed by the Church.
The bill - in its latest version -
proposes government funded family planning that includes free access to
contraception as a means to control population growth.
Bishop
Pabillo says “The Church is strongly opposed to this bill and has been
active in fighting its passing”. However he also adds “the Church has
received a lot of opposition because of its position in defence of the
family and life, particularly from the media”.
SIC: RVR/INT'L