Pro-Life Philippines will hold a youth congress on the demerits of the Reproductive Health Bill

MANILA, September 24, 2009—While the proponents of the Reproductive Health bill try to convince the House of Representatives to pass the much debated legislation, the advocacy group Pro-life Philippines will hold a similar session except that it will discuss the demerits of the proposed law in a congress attended not by lawmakers but by Catholic youth who were reared to value life and practice morality.

An afternoon learning about the pro-life way of life awaits the 500 participants of Pro-life’s youth congress, which will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. on October 24 at the Parks and Wildlife center in Quezon City.

According to Xavier Padilla, secretary of the board of trustees of the organization, Pro-life Philippines planned the congress in the light of certain anti-life issues that have been making news in the country.

“The past years have been eye-openers to the plight of people who love life. There have been constant attacks and obstacles to promoting life and family as important. There is a continuous barrage of media messages pushing contraception, pre- and extra- marital sex. There is a non-stop push for the legalization of abortion and other such methods of terminating life at its early stages; and there is also a global decline of those who care and fight for the sanctity of life—in all its forms,” he said.

Padilla was referring to the continuous heated debates on the Reproductive Health bill and other legislations pushing for legalization of contraception and abortion, adding that the youth congress will be a timely gathering where the youth can be guided in keeping their Catholic values and morality intact against the propaganda of pro-choice mentality.

“It is time to show our youth what it means to be pro-life. Teach them the values of keeping life precious. And empower them to bring this message and lifestyle to their own daily lives,” said Padilla, who is also from the Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life.

Padilla invited the youth to join the congress, which will be attended by Environment and Natural ResJources Secretary Jose “Lito” Atienza, Jr., who is also the president of Pro-life Philippines.

In lieu of an admission fee, participants are encouraged to bring canned goods and other donations in kind that can be given to victims of recent calamities.

For more information, please contact the Pro Life Philippines office at life@prolife.org.ph or via fax at 734-9425. Interested attendees call the organization 733-7027 or 0919-2337783 and look for Ellen or Malou. (Kris Bayos)

Source: CBCP News