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
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