Bishops’ double standard

The Supreme Court has declared the Reproductive Health Law constitutional. However, an official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) later expressed hope for the repeal of the law in 2016 when a new Congress convenes.

Are these pharisees and scribes of the Catholic Church not aware of the separation of Church and State in the Philippines? No religious sect should impose its doctrine and teachings on government.

These modern-day pharisees and scribes are very much aware of the freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution which they are blatantly abusing, but somehow they don’t seem to be aware of the freedom of religion which is likewise guaranteed by the Constitution.

The government respects the different religions and sects in the country. The different churches are expected to reciprocate this by respecting government statutes no less. Of course, the priests are not one on the RH Law.

The Jesuits, for one, don’t find the RH Law repulsive. Even Fr. Joaquin Bernas has positive thoughts about it. Thus, if the Jesuits (Pope Francis is a Jesuit) and, of course, the Supreme Court don’t see anything wrong with the RH Law, probably there is something wrong with the pharisees and scribes.

It is sad to note that these pharisees and scribes have “selective morality.” Sometimes I suspect that they have their own dictionary. They give an issue a new meaning that is not intended in the first place. But when the issue gets into their own backyard, they suddenly become silent about it. I remember that about two years or so ago, several Catholic priests were reported to be in ivory trade. These priests even knew who the good carvers were and how to contact them. I pity these “righteous” persons who notice the speck of sawdust in other people’s eyes but not the plank in their own. Talk about morality. It makes me shudder; after all, I am a Catholic.

—ARTHUR BOQUER,

boquera@yahoo.com