Friday February 26, 2010
Two Philippine Bishops Endorse Pro-Life Presidential Candidate
By Hilary White
MANILA, February 26, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Two Catholic bishops in the Philippines have broken with standing Church policy and endorsed dark horse candidate Olongapo City Councilor JC de los Reyes in the presidential race.
The normal policy of the Catholic bishops of the Philippines is to hold a non-partisan stand, but Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles and Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra have backed the Ang Kapatiran party candidate, calling it a matter of conscience. Navarra said his endorsement did not necessarily mean he would talk about De los Reyes inside a church or during Mass.
Former Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President Oscar Cruz said, “there is no canonical violation strictly, but it could be pastorally imprudent, as of the moment.” The two bishops have resigned from the poll watchdog Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) because of their support for de los Reyes.
De los Reyes and the Ang Kapatiran party have strongly endorsed Catholic teaching, including in their position against the pending Reproductive Health bill.
“You can’t separate faith from political life,” de los Reyes said in October. “As a Catholic, my role is to assert my principle and values to the society.” De los Reyes has openly endorsed natural family planning as an alternative to artificial contraception.
“I am against abortion in all cases and the use of birth control pills and condoms even among married couples,” he added.
Read related LSN coverage:
Philippine Bishops Issue “Catechism on Family and Life” for Upcoming Elections
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/jan/10010410.html