The Silent Scream

"If every member of Congress could see that film, they would move quickly to end the tragedy of abortion."

– Ronald Reagan (on The Silent Scream)

The Silent Scream is a 1984 documentary that shows, through ultrasound technology, what happens to a fetus during an abortion.

The film was narrated by Bernard Nathanson, a physician who admitted to being personally responsible for 75,000 abortions and was a major contributor in legalizing abortion in America but has since converted from being “pro” to “anti” abortion advocate after he himself witnessed an on-going abortion via ultrasound imaging.

It’s easy for someone to justify a war when it’s taking place a thousand miles away; not so when the battlefield is near one’s own backyard. The sight of dead and injured soldiers up-close, at the very least, should cause even the warmongers to reconsider their position. Through this documentary, pro-abortion advocates could view an abortion up-close and see the true nature of what they are justifying. 

WARNING: this documentary contains explicit material. Without a doubt, this is a difficult film to watch; the sight of another human being, a fetus, in excruciating pain and making a “silent scream” while being helplessly murdered is surely more than most (including this blogger) could bear. 

* Video courtesy of: American Portrait Films (http://www.silentscream.org/order.html)

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

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Why I’m Opposed To The Reproductive Health Bill (Part 3)

photo courtesy of TARIQ-M

Arguments Commonly Used By The Reproductive Health Bill Supporters 

•  “The Catholic Church does nothing (or very little) to address the problem of poverty in the country.”

It’s everyone’s responsibility to help alleviate the suffering of their countrymen, not just the government nor the church’s. While all faithful are called to perform works of mercy (feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, etc.), we must remember that our Mother Church’s main mandate is to save souls – and this is exactly what she’s doing by opposing the bill.

• “Passing the RH Bill is essential for the country’s economic growth.”

Unless problems such as rampant corruption and lack of discipline are first addressed, any development would be improbable. But even granting (without accepting) that the bill is vital in solving the country’s economic woes, should we pay for it with our souls? The church has always taught us that “the end does not justify the means”. Pope Paul VI, preaching against the use of contraceptives, stated the same in Humanae Vitae: “it is never lawful, even for the gravest reasons, to do evil that good may come of it.” (18)

• “RH Bill promotes responsible sexual behavior.”

A closer look into the issue indicates the opposite; contraceptives are used by people who want to have sex minus the responsibility. In this way, both men and women are treated as mere objects and sex is viewed as merely an activity for one’s own pleasure. Thus, a culture of contraception actually promotes sexual irresponsibility and promiscuity.

• “RH Bill has nothing to do with abortion.”

While the bill states that abortion is a crime, it contradicts itself by promoting the use of abortifacients such as IUD. Even in ideologies espoused we can see a connection, for we often hear supporters of the bill claim that “RH bill is about freedom of choice” – and once again we hear the misuse of the word “choice”, also a favorite misdeed of the “Pro-Choice/Abortion” movement. Some supporters even go so far as to call for the legalization of abortion in the country. Such acts give further credence to fears that the bill is merely the camel’s nose and once passed, abortion, its body, will soon follow inside the tent. What does abortion have to do with contraception? Everything, for abortion is simply backup contraception.

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Why I’m Opposed To The Reproductive Health Bill (Part 2)

photo courtesy of maremaremare

Catholic Teaching on Sexual Morality

Like any good parent, the Church reminds her children not only what is forbidden but also why it is so. To understand why contraception is immoral, we need to remember our Church’s teachings on the essence and meaning of sex.

• Sex is sacred.

This has often been said but what does it mean? We say this mainly because through sex, God creates the miracle of life; through sex, God made co-creators of husband and wife. Therefore, to use contraceptives, is to contracept not only God’s creative powers but ultimately, God Himself.

• Sex is for procreation.

We need to remember that the natural purpose of sex is for procreation. Sex, if we let nature takes its course, creates babies – new persons with immortal souls. Therefore, to hinder conception by the use of contraceptives is a perversion of nature.

• Sex is an act of spousal love.

During sex, spouses mutually surrender themselves to one another; 9 months later, the love between husband and wife becomes another person. In Theology of the Body, Pope John Paul II tells us that in a profound way, sex, as an act of spousal love, mirrors the eternal exchange of love within the Blessed Trinity. Therefore, the use of contraceptives reduces sex from an expression of agape to that of mere pleasure; from an act of selflessness to that of selfishness; from a reflection of the Divine Love to that of an animal impulse.

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Why I’m Opposed To The Reproductive Health Bill (Part 1)

photo courtesy of xlynx

Let me get straight to the point: I’m opposed to the Reproductive Health Bill because I’m Catholic; I don’t see how it’s possible to support the bill while remaining faithful to fundamental Catholic teachings on sexual morality. The following are my reasons for believing so:

Teaching Authority of the Church

The Magisterium has always, that is, from the very beginning, condemned the use of contraceptives as a sin.

• According to the Catechism (summary of Catholic beliefs):

“…“every action which, whether in anticipation of the conjugal act, or in its accomplishment, or in the development of its natural consequences, proposes, whether as an end or as a means, to render procreation impossible” is intrinsically evil…” (2370)

Moreover, 2 essential encyclicals further expounds on the immorality of contraceptives:

• Humanae Vitae (Pope Paul VI)

“Similarly excluded is any action which either before, at the moment of, or after sexual intercourse, is specifically intended to prevent procreation—whether as an end or as a means.” (14)

• Theology of the Body (Pope John Paul II)

“Two actions that are ethically different, indeed, even opposed, derive from this: the natural regulation of fertility is morally correct; contraception is not morally correct.” (118 – Faithfulness to the Divine Plan in the Transmission of Life)

These are just a few of the many Church teachings condemning the use of contraceptives. One would expect these to be definitive enough to settle the issue, yet some Catholics, including few members of the clergy, still question the Church’s teachings on contraceptives. Further reflection would lead one to remember the fact that heresies have always been a part of the Church’s history. To my mind, there is no doubt that the greatest heresies of this day and age are those concerning sex and consequently, contraceptives.

Our Mother Church’s teachings are very old; in fact, she teaches us nothing new, but merely interprets the lessons given by her Divine Founder. Therefore, due to its divine origins, her teachings are constant and unchanging. Contrary to what some may believe, her stance on controversial issues such as homosexual marriage, female priestesses, abortion and contraceptives doesn’t rest on having a “liberal” Pope or not; the Vicar of Christ can only affirm but can neither abolish nor alter the commandments given by Christ Himself. She is faithful, not fickle; her teachings concern only with the Truth, not with what’s deemed “politically correct”. As Pope Benedict XVI said, “What was true yesterday is true also today”.

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