Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra yesterday raised a “red alert” for the Catholic faithful in the Diocese of Bacolod to fervently pray for the conversion of the lawmakers who voted Yes to the Reproductive Health Bill in the House, so that they will vote differently when the bill is brought up on third and final reading in the House next week.
In the wee hours of Thursday, the House voted 113-104 in favor of the RH bill on second reading.
Members of the House and the Senate are expected to vote on the bill again on Monday.
The bishop, in a statement issued yesterday, said “I would like to sound the alarm of red alert upon all Catholic faithful in our parishes, chaplaincies and Catholic institutions in the Diocese of Bacolod.”
He called on the faithful to pray for God’s will to prevail and to take an active stand in defense of human life, especially of the unborn.
In the strongest possible terms, he is expressing his “indignation and disgust against the evil schemes plotting to destroy the true essence of human sexuality and family,” Navarra said.
But he also said the Yes votes to the RH bill can never be interpreted as a defeat for the cause of God “because God can never be defeated and He will always triumph in the end.”
Bacolod Rep. Anthony Golez, who voted No to the RH bill, yesterday said the victory of the Yes votes Wednesday was very slim and could change on voting on third reading.
He said about 70 congressmen were not present on Wednesday so their presence at the voting on third reading could make a difference.
“The balance can be tipped either way, I hope it is tipped towards the negative side,” Golez said.
Senatorial candidate Juan Miguel Zubiuri also said he is opposed to the RH bill.
He said while his brother Jose Zubiri III (Bukidnon, 3rd District) voted Yes to the RH bill, he does not agree with his position.
In fact his family is divided on the RH bill, Zubiri said.
He, his father Bukidnon Vice Gov. Jose Zubiri, and his brother Manuel who is a member of the Couples for Christ, are against the RH bill, while his mother Victoria, sister Stephanie and brother the congressman are for the bill.
“The RH bill is a deeply divisive issue that it even divides families,” he said.
Zubiri said he is against the RH bill because he believes it does not need legislation, it can be promoted by the Department of Health and local governments instead of forcing it on everyone through a law.
“It is causing a very divisive and hurtful debate,” said Zubiri, who stressed he is a Marian devotee.
“For me the sanctity of life is very important,” he said.*CPG back
to top
|