The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)
has come out against the proposed Reproductive Health Bill (RH Bill) stating that it is
anti-life and will lead to an increase in abortions. Two concepts that don’t
stand up under considered examination.
For contraception to be considered anti-life it must follow
that each sexual act is for procreation. Having sex is to make babies,
preferably brought up in the Catholic faith. Unfortunately, for the Bishops,
human biology works against this supposition. In fact the Bishops use this
biological quirk to promote their “Natural Family Planning” method of contraception.
A fertile woman, basically one aged from 15 to 45/50, is
infertile for 50% of the time. Any sexual activity outside of the 15 days
of fertility in each menstrual cycle is recreational. It’s how Natural Family
Planning works and taking this to 100% cannot be considered a big deal especially
in the light of the ills that over population visit on the Philippines.
The Bishop’s claim that the RH Bill will lead to an increase
in abortion is even less considered than their anti-life proposition. Abortion
is the contraception of last resort. Offer affordable alternatives and the
knitting needle brigade will be looking for other employment.
Sex is the grease that makes the world go round contrary to
the Bishop’s view that it is their good works. For as one wag put it “sex is like
pizza, even when it’s cold it’s still pretty good.” OK, straight out of the Ref
is not a good look, but at room temperature……
It could be argued that the Bishop’s opposition to the RH Bill
is just a case of sour grapes. They have signed on to no nooky at anytime and
whilst they can’t make the rest of us go the Full Monty with their promotion of Natural Family Planning they can at least restrict
it 50% of the time.