Bishop warns of anti-lifers arguments

MATI CITY, June 4, 2009—Bishop Patricio Alo [from the Diocese of Mati, Davao Oriental] has warned Catholics to be extra careful especially in listening to the arguments of anti-lifers for they might be introducing fallacy in their statements.

Alo said the argument that “a tiny fetus is not a human being” is a dangerous premise and it is being used only by pro-lifers [huh? is this a typo or WHAT? maybe it should be anti-lifers] in order to justify the selfish act of murdering the innocent unborn child.

“Be careful. People should be properly educated. Once you are properly educated then you become strong, prepared and brave enough to meet life’s challenges and difficulties, capable of improving any situation,” said Alo.

The Church, he continued, consistently teaches that every act of love between a man and a woman must be open to the transmission of new life.

“Such love, if it be true must not be selfish but open to give life since whatever is true and good tends to multiply itself generously as trees that offer abundant and delicious fruit for man’s satisfaction. That’s not the end,” he said, adding:

“Worst of all, the murder of the innocent unborn is among the four sins crying to heaven for vengeance: willful murder (including abortion), the sin of Sodom, oppression of the poor, defrauding laborers of their wages.”

Alo also reminded the people that man cannot escape the wrath of God. “He knows our most secret thoughts and acts.”


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God bless Bishop Alo. I personally met him way back in 2004. I had this impression of him as somewhat quiet and detached from current affairs such as this. He celebrated Mass sloppily I must say, though. Lots of liturgical violations.

But, I am impressed with his statement. He is right to remind his flock to watch out for the arguments of anti-lifers. Most of the time, their main points are: women's rights to choose and health care, ballooning population, etc. No problem with that but as long as you do not kill the unborn, promote promiscuity through artificial birth control, promotion of family planning through unsafe birth control methods which may lead to the use of abortifacients, I am all for family planning and population control.