This news item is in the frontpage of the Philippine Daily Inquirer today, Nov. 8, 2007. Mariannet Amper committed suicide losing hope "that her family would ever rise from poverty". Manette wiggled to his death during this season of tragicomedy when the rabid supporters and cohorts of our President, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo are fumbling their way and stumbling all over themselves covering her up from liability for the scandalous and messy distribution of oodles of money as cash gifts--in other words, bribes-- to congressmen and local government officials who trooped to Malacanang upon the invitation of the President herself.
Lingayen-Dagupan Catholic Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz called the suicide a "summit of desperation" and indicted each & everyone of us saying that if one girl goes hungry due to poverty, then we are all part of it.
In law school, I encountered a narrative on a Judge hearing another heartwrenching case and rendered a similar judgment. A child was being tried in his court for stealing a piece of bread.
Instead of punishing the child, the wise judge passed a hat for contribution as fines for the adults in the community. He pronounced that it would the fault of the whole community whenever a child would be forced to steal to assuage one's hunger.
Mea culpa!
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6 comments:
She's off cavorting in a place where the buffet's smokin' and the wine's overflowing.
I say it wasn't a tragedy. She's having more fun than the rest of us now.
Unless society will get its act together, poverty will not be addressed. In my opinion,
The RC Church must cooperate in population management. Preventing the sperm from meeting the egg, whether natural or not, is not abortion. But messing it up after the union is already a crime.
The rich in society to act like a big brother to the poor ones
Employers to give and do more, when capable, i.e
The rich barangay for a poor barangay
In our own little way, we can share our time. resources, talents to educate, assist and help the less privilege get out of their situation.
Citizens action, political will to rid our society of the corrupt and cheaters.
More budget for education, health and other public services.
Sonnie and Jake, your concern over poverty is admirable. I can see how two well-meaning gentlemen like you can contribute in the alleviation of poverty in our country.
But our concern is not only that we condemn abortion but that we also uphold human sexuality with the faith that every act of intercourse should be open to the procreation of life. I personally believe it as the law, both human & Divine. Sex is sacared. It is not only meant for unbridled pleasure & leisure. The enjoyment of sex-- with self regulation and discipline--is what elevates human beings to its noble and rational stature in the scheme of creation.
But our concern is not only that we condemn abortion but that we also uphold human sexuality with the faith that every act of intercourse should be open to the procreation of life,
According by what irrefutable standards? On the say so of the church? The RC imposed that doctrine at a time when the population was small and strength in numbers was necessary for survival.
Today this argument irrelevant. Are we to procreate like rabbits till the planet groans under the weight of trillions of hungry pattering feet?
Doctrines and teaching must adapt to conditions.Sticking to edicts when the underlying intent has become pase is folly.
I find it hypocritical that the church delineates between natural (and good) contraception as against artificial (bad) birth control. Both go against their precept that all intercourse be open to life. Either both are bad OR both are good.
Im roman catholic and yet I refuse to let the church force feed me just any doctrine the way they rammed irrationality down the throats of their tortured victims on the Inquisitor's torture rack.
Today, I know I have CHOICE.
It's an outrage how that church official was quick to blame everyone for the tragic incident. Maybe it's time they review their stand on population control and then they can start judging our shortcomings as citizens of our beloved motherland.
Lester, the Church officials' gesture of blaming everyone is also an admission of failure by the Church leaders in their work of evangelization and moral education--which is strictly their function. All of our leaders are avowed believers in God. And yet, very few among them practice the values of honesty, charity and service which our faith teaches.
Acceptance of failures and responsibility is a good place to start towards the solution of the overwhelming problems besetting our country.
Population is not necessarily the root cause of the problem. Mismanagement of the Philippine's rich resources is the real culprit. Our country is endowed with natural bounties and industrious, talented people. These are the main components for a progressive nation. The only other missing component is effective management by servant leaders.
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