Prelate says pro-choice society is the problem

Laoag Bishop Sergio L. Utleg stressed that “threat on population control does not necessarily come all from Obama but the great threat comes from a pro-choice American society,” in an interview last November 7, Bishop’s Residence, Laoag City.

These are the words of the Bishop after Catholic leaders expressed their concern on the election of the pro-choice American Democrat Senator Barack Obama. Obama, on a speech, said he would first sign the Freedom of Choice Act if he win to the Presidency of the United States.

“I bet for Obama personally because of his anti-war policies,” the Bishop said pertaining to the Iraq war which has already made problems and complications, “and his ideals on change not in the United States that hopefully will also affect the world.”

“We cannot really say that Obama is the only problem because if we will see the American society itself majority are pro-choice supporters. But we should expect that the battle for the dignity of life will be more difficult with this pro-choice president,” explained Bishop Utleg.

“The problem with abortion and contraceptives was already there long ago and it is not already new to the Church. And the Church continues to stand against these methods,” Bishop Utleg added.

Asked about the effect of Obama’s election to the Philippine population policy the Bishop said, “Our local population policy will be affected surely but nothing will change it even though we are in the middle of debates for the reproductive health bill in the Congress.”

Considering the administration of President George Bush, Jr. the Bishop said, “We have seen the Bush’ administration. Even though President Bush is a pro-life, like most of the Republicans, he never succeeded to do something about the US policy on population control. In his administration the policy was still pushed. The United States as a whole promotes it and now that Obama was elected we should expect for greater policies.”

“What we can do, especially in our country, is to continue the Church’s programs on educating the people on the dignity of life. The Church should always explain to the people the dangers of going against nature. It is seen that every time man goes against the nature, problems arises. And we should uplift the dignity of all human life,” ends the Bishop.

(Mark Rodney P. Vertido)