Catholic Church Criticises Condom Distribution
Philippines President Benigno Aquino III recently drew criticism from the Catholic Church for comments made during a trip to the U.S. suggesting that his administration would be willing to distribute contraceptives to low-income Filipino couples who cannot afford them, the AP/Google News reports.
The Rev. Deogracias Yniguez of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines rebuked the president's comments. He said, "The whole church is against" contraception, adding that a church commission evaluating family planning issues would meet with the president to discuss its opposition. Edwin Lacierda, spokesperson for the president, said Aquino is willing to meet with church officials to explain that he supports "responsible parenthood."
The issue of birth control is usually avoided by elected officials in the Philippines because the population is largely comprised of practicing Catholics. However, contraception proponents argue that poverty in the Philippines has worsened from increasing population growth and fertility rates and that wider use of birth control could help raise standards of living (AP/Google News, 9/28).
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