Clash among Catholics

note:  This is the face of the resistance group in the Philippines, though a minority bloc as of the moment, in an attempt to push the passing of the House Bill 96 or Reproductive Health Bill that would give the go signal to use contraception and even legalization of abortion, if approved to become a law.  It is sad to know that these two opposing groups belong to the same family - the Catholic Church. The battle is not yet over.  The resistance will return as the Church´s faithful will stand prepared!  (Garret Alfonso Ulanimo)

Pro, anti-RH bill clash outside Manila Cathedral

MANILA, Nov. 22, 2010— Opponents clashed with supporters of Reproductive Health Bill who had gathered outside Manila Cathedral on Saturday night to protest the Catholic Church’s opposition to contraceptives.

About 20 pro-RH bill “Catholics” tried to enter the cathedral where a “prayer and reflection service on human life” was being held but they were barred by the organizers.

The demonstrators, mostly teenagers, belonging to a group called Filipino Freethinkers, however, forced to get inside the church sparking word-war between both parties.

The supporters of the reproductive health bill were wearing t-shirts with “Damaso” printed on them and the statement “Pass the RH bill Now.”

“Father Damaso” refers to an abusive priest who fathered a child in Jose Rizal’s novel “Noli Me Tangere.”

“Get away from us, walk out! This is our affair, respect us… organize your own affair,” yelled Pro-Life President Philippines Eric Manalang.

“You’re insulting my Mother Church. If your mother would be insulted, will you not feel bad?” Manalang said.

A protester answered: “Maybe not…”

“We are also Catholics (that’s why we are here),” said another one.

But RH-bill supporters defied the appeal and continued distributing flyers or invitation to a “party” together with the people and organizations that support the RH bill.

“If supporting the RH bill means excommunication, excommunicate me!” part the flyer read. “Join us for an evening of dinner, entertainment, and dissent,” part of the flyer read.

Manalang said they felt insulted as more opponents including famous lawyer Romulo Macalintal went outside the cathedral to face the rallyists.

“Do anything you want to do and we don’t care… just respect our own affair,” a mother said.

The rallyists finally decided to leave the cathedral after about 10 minutes of confrontation and as more participants of the forum went out of the church to drive them away.

“You are Catholics but you are dissidents. We are Catholics but we follow God’s commandment to protect life strictly,” shouted Manalang as the rallyists were leaving the cathedral. (CBCPNews)

source:  http://www.cbcpnews.com/?q=node/13793