Why I’m Opposed To The Reproductive Health Bill (Part 4)

photo courtesy of AnnuskA - AnnA Theodora

 Conclusion

• Plurality of Society

Some Catholics, perhaps wanting to play safe, say “I’m personally opposed to the RH Bill, but I don’t want to impose my beliefs on others”. On moral issues however, we simply must have the courage to take a stand. For example, we cannot say “I’m personally opposed to murdering innocents but I don’t want to impose my beliefs on others”. While we acknowledge pluralism, we must also have the integrity and conviction to stand up for our beliefs.

• Hypocrisy

At times during discussions regarding the bill, we hear those in favor accuse those opposed of hypocrisy. I believe hypocrisy deserves to be discussed in an entry of its own, but in the meantime I’d like to share a quote from philosopher Peter Kreeft on the subject:

“…if a Catholic comes to believe the Church is in error in some essential, officially defined doctrine, it is a mortal sin against conscience, a sin of hypocrisy, for him to remain in the Church and call himself a Catholic…”

I agree and also think that while an “honest believer” is best, an “honest unbeliever” is better than a “dishonest believer”. Perhaps now is an opportune time for us Catholics to seriously reflect on our own beliefs.

• Cafeteria Catholics

Religious demographics of the Philippines show that 80% of Filipinos are Catholics. Ironically, surveys also show that 80% of Filipinos are in favor of the RH Bill and want it passed into law. This is a clear indication that the Philippines is a country of Catholics only in name but not in practice.

What makes us Catholic? Millions of Filipino Catholics mourned the passing of Pope John Paul II, but shedding tears at the death of a saint doesn’t make one Catholic; mere sentimental reasons won’t suffice – we must also heed the wisdom of their words and live by their example. Let us therefore be faithful to the church’s teachings on sexual morality.

A good thing that is coming out of these discussions is that we’re given the opportunity to discover the real depth of our faith or lack thereof.

Do we believe the Church simply because that’s what our Lord Jesus Christ asks of us?
Do we believe the Church only when we agree with her teachings?
Do we believe the Church only when it’s easy for us to do so?

Now is a good time for each of us to reflect on our personal beliefs. It’s also a time for us to remember: that to be Catholic means we must accept, not just some, not just most, but all of our Lord Jesus Christ teachings, revealed and made known through His bride and our mother, the Church; that we cannot have Easter without Good Friday; that we cannot have Christ without His cross.

“…if, of the things taught by the Church, he holds what he chooses to hold, and rejects what he chooses to reject, he no longer adheres to the teaching of the Church as to an infallible rule, but to his own will.” – St. Thomas Aquinas

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4