Angeles University Foundation

Angeles City

CENTER FOR CHRISTIAN FORMATION

CLASS SOCIAL INTEGRATION WORLD POPULATION DAY 2012 JULY 11, 2012 Theme: PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL OF LIFE No to Universal Access to Reproductive Health Services
Introduction World Population Day is an annual event, observed on July 11, which seeks to raise awareness of global population issues. The event was established by the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme in 1989. It was inspired by the public interest in Five Billion Day on July 11, 1987, approximately the date on which the world's population reached five billion people. World Population Day aims to increase peoples awareness on various population issues such as the importance of family planning, including gender equality, poverty, maternal health and human rights. The day is celebrated worldwide by business groups, community organizations and individuals in many ways. Activities include seminar discussions, educational information sessions and essay competitions. In 1968 world leaders proclaimed that individuals had a basic human right to determine freely and responsibly the number and timing of their children. World Population Day was instituted in 1989 as an outgrowth of the Day of Five Billion, marked on July 11, 1987. The UN authorized the event as a vehicle to build an awareness of population issues and the impact they have on development and the environment. Since then, with the United Nations Population Fund's (UNFPA) encouragement, governments, non-governmental organizations, institutions and individuals organize various educational activities to celebrate the annual event. (http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/un/world-population-day)

Questioning the Theme of World Population Day 2012 This year, the theme of World Population Day centers on Universal Access to Reproductive Health Services. UNFPA gives priority to providing basic reproductive health services to young people, pregnant women, and hard-to-reach populations, including those displaced by humanitarian crises. According to UNFPA, both men and women need access to information and appropriate health services throughout their lives. Such information and services are gender sensitive and allow: All individuals to make informed choices about sexuality and reproduction, and to have a safe and satisfying sexual life, free of violence and coercion Women to go safely through pregnancy and childbirth Couples to have the best chance of having a healthy infant Women to avoid unwanted pregnancy and to address the consequences of unsafe abortion Access to prevention, treatment and care for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.

We would like to offer our critical stand toward the United Nation Theme: Universal Access to Reproductive Health Services. We say NO to Universal Access to Reproductive Health Services, and this is based on what we see as misleading statements that characterize the term reproductive health. We ask if such term is really about safeguarding and improving the quality of life, or if the said term which is often connected to reproductive rights of women, is a deliberate attempt by rich and powerful nations to enforce policies that will be to the disadvantage of the smaller and poorer countries. Furthermore, to emphasize the rights of the mother over her body does not mean that her rights should disregard the rights of the unborn life in her womb. She does not own the unborn that is in her womb. Universal access to reproductive health services is actively campaigned as an inviolable right that are demanded by mothers. However, this term must be qualified and analyzed as this phrase is open to multilayered interpretations. What someone says reproductive rights when it is just arbitrarily the right of a mother that disregards the right of the defenseless unborn. Even when abortion is deemed both immoral and illegal, still those in authority justify the act in the pretext of therapeutic intervention when the health and safety of the mother is concerned. Circumstances (those who, for serious reasons and with due respect to moral precepts, decide not to have additional children for a certain period of time) at times may dictate that married couples may limit the number of children and that the sexual act between husband and wife is still worthy even if it can be foreseen not to result in procreation. This is in the case of natural family planning methods (abstaining from intercourse during certain parts of the womans cycle) that are allowed, since they take advantage of a faculty provided by nature. Thus, they do not contradict the moral order which was established by God. (ENCYCLICAL LETTER HUMANAE VITAE by Pope Paul VI, Chapter II, paragraph 11). However, this must never be used as a justification to limit the number of children to become state policy that will coerce married couples to adhere to a one-child policy, and eventually to view having children as additional burden, and not as a gift. This is applicable only insofar as married couples are spiritually and psychologically mature persons who appreciate the value of life, and are sufficiently aware of the important role that unitive and procreative love plays in the sexual union between husband and wife. In the case of abortion, the direct and voluntary taking of all innocent human life is always gravely immoral. Defined as "the deliberate and direct killing, by whatever means it is carried out, of a human being in the initial phase of his or her existence, extending from conception to birth", either willed as an end or as a means, always constitutes a grave moral disorder". This moral judgment is also to be applied to forms of intervention on human embryos which, although carried out for purposes legitimate in themselves, inevitably involve the killing of those embryos, either in experimentation or their use and the use of human fetuses as "biological material" or as providers of organs or tissue for transplants. On the other hand, it is held that the sexual act must retain its intrinsic relationship to the procreation of human life; the direct interruption of the generative process already begun is unlawful. Furthermore, the acceptance of artificial methods of contraception is then claimed to result in several negative consequences: a general lowering of moral standards resulting from sex without consequences; the danger that men may reduce women to being a mere instrument for the satisfaction of their own desires; abuse of power by public authorities; and, a false sense of autonomy. The legal norms legitimizing abortion and artificial contraception, under the false pretext of reproductive health services, which are radically opposed to justice, the common good and the fundamental rights of the individual, lack authentic juridical validity. In the face of these laws, the right to conscientious objection at least must be recognized, this being a serious obligation for the Christian, who cannot formally cooperate in evil. Consequently, there remains the commitment of everyone to promote 2

more just legislation, which will change laws contrary to the right to life and its inviolability. Pope John Paul II, in his encyclical Evangelium Vitae, points out that the "Gospel of life" is at the heart of the evangelizing mission of the church, which must proclaim Jesus, the "Word of life" (1 Jn. 1:1), the one in whom "the life was made manifest" (1 Jn. 1:2). The church, defined in a new and expressive way as "the people of life," has the task of proclaiming, celebrating and serving life. Ever nourished by the word of God, the church has the primary task of ensuring that the Gospel of life reaches the heart of every man and woman, and that it finds its way into the hidden recesses of the whole of society. She is called also to celebrate the gift of life, considering it with a contemplative and grateful spirit in the light of God's love made manifest in his Son Jesus. The mission of the Christian and of the church on behalf of life is fulfilled through the service of charity because charity leads us "to show care for all life and for the life of everyone", with a profound attitude of solidarity in every condition and situation, without prejudice or discrimination. The Holy Father exhorts us to strengthen and continue today the numerous projects which have been undertaken in this regard, calling for creative innovation in responding adequately to new challenges. In the area of professional health care, volunteer services, education, social involvement and political commitment and in the face of complex demographic problems, it is a question of fostering mature attitudes and finding solutions which respect life. In particular, at the center of attention must be the family, the "sanctuary of life," in which life is welcomed, nourished, brought up and supported, and taken care of in sickness. However, the family needs to be helped by a social context which is favorable to these values and by policies which promote its primary and irreplaceable role. It is a question of bringing about a true transformation of culture: the promotion of a "culture of life," in which human freedom will find its authentic meaning by joining forces with truth, life and love. This culture needs new lifestyles which will show respect for the dignity of every individual, especially the weakest, which will recognize the value of human sexuality in the development of the person, and which will accept the mysterious meaning of suffering and of death. A very special task is entrusted to women, who are particularly close to the mystery of life, who are called to be its guardians and to reveal its fruitfulness when that task matures into relationships marked by unselfish giving and willing service. (ENCYCLICAL LETTER EVANGELIUM VITAE, Pope John Paul II, Chapter IV, paragraph 89 & 93) CCF Advocacy The Center for Christian Formation, following the teachings of Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life, embraces the message of the Gospel of Life, which speaks of a precise and vigorous reaffirmation of the value of human life and its inviolability and a pressing appeal addressed to each and every person in the name of God: Respect, protect, love and serve life, every human life! Only in this direction will there be justice, development, true freedom, peace and happiness" (Evangelium Vitae No. 5). 1. Life as Gift It is not an absolute value in itself: It is entrusted to man as a beginning to be made fruitful for eternity as a first gift which will reach its fullness if, after the example of Christ and with his power, it succeeds in becoming a gift of love of God and of others. This is the truest and most profound meaning of life: The gift is accomplished in selfgiving. "For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the Gospel's will save it" (Mk. 8:35).

2. Life as Responsibility We reaffirm the absolute and permanent value of the commandment not to kill which is at the heart of God's covenant with man. He shows that the commandment is not a limit but a gift, which invites freedom to follow the paths of respect, service and love of life. 3. Life as a Task to Be Promoted Against doubts, skepticism, obscurity and falsehoods, it is a question of proclaiming in its entirety the joyful message of the value of life; the commandment "you shall not kill" is also part of this message. Integration in CFE 1 From Revelation, we learn not only of Gods life, but also of our human condition. Gods self-communication throws light on the question of who and what we are (Emil A. Canlas, Encountering God in our Life). God has made the initiative of selfdisclosure because of his great love for us, and the proper response is faith. Through His words in Scriptures, we get to know God, who is not a God of the dead, but the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, a living God whose liberating promise of salvation is offered to us, provided we are willing to place our trust and confidence in Him. Gods Word that offers life and love as expressed in the Good News which brings life and happiness to all who have ears to listen and hearts to accept the process of conversion, and we who by faith, affirms the invitation to embrace the responsibility as a community, through celebration of Gods great love in fellowship and faith. This gracious and loving initiative by God calls forth for faith, a faith that is borne out of the experience of the presence and love of the Lord, and which should challenge all to go forth and bear witness (PCP II par. 78). Expressing our faith through deeds of justice and love is particularly urgent where there is widespread misconception that faith is relegated to private morality and pietistic activities (PCP II par. 79). To express faith in the God of life is to serve the last, the least and the lost, that is, sectors in society that need most attention when it comes to protection and safeguarding of their dignity as human persons: the poor who have nothing but God as their hope, the unborn and the young children who are dependent on their parents for their sustenance and survival, the old, infirmed and the dying whose dignity is not lessened by sickness, suffering and old age, and most especially the physically and mentally handicapped whose quality of life must be improved by recent advances in medical science and technology. It is the message of Gods revelation that offers healing, liberation and redemption of humanity, as the whole humanity is on a pilgrimage to the realization of Gods Kingdom on earth. Integration in NSTP CWTS 1 By developing the sense of makabayan, makatao, makaDiyos at makakalikasan as we immerse ourselves in the community, we will understand the implications the Gospel of Life in helping us develop the values needed for nation building. Patriotism takes into account that as a people with a sense of nationhood, we have great respect for the value of life as a gift that is meant to be lived selflessly for ones fellowmen and country, and life, when truly offered as sacrifice for the betterment of the least of our brethren, is a life lived authentically. We extend the responsibility to value and respect life when we treat others as human persons to be loved, and not as things to be used to serve selfish interests, and as we look deeper into the meaning of the Gospel of Life, the invitation to build a culture of life and civilization of love demands that persons perceived as useless and considered as burdens in a consumeristic society, that is, the unborn, the sick, the aged and the dying, and the poor, must be treated with respect and value. God is offering us salvation and liberation from all forms of oppression, and He offers us the freedom to live our lives as His children.

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Population_Day http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/un/world-population-day http://countryoffice.unfpa.org/gcc/?events=5063 http://www.unfpa.org/public/world-population-day http://www.unfpa.org/rh/services.htm ENCYCLICAL LETTER HUMANAE VITAE by Pope Paul VI ENCYCLICAL LETTER EVANGELIUM VITAE by Pope John Paul II Encountering God in our Life, by Emil A. Canlas, Ph.D. ACTS and DECREES of the SECOND PLENARY COUNCIL of the PHILIPPINES Prepared by: Mr. Jan Paul S. Lugtu Faculty Mr. Aristothel Melad Faculty

Reviewed by: Mrs. Minesa M. Curitao Asst. Director, CFE Dr. Jose P. Serrano Asst. Director, Campus Ministry

Approved by: Mrs. Edna S. Manlapaz Director