Pope Francis took the opportunity of his visit to Manila in the Philippines today to firmly condemn the use of articifical contraception:
Pope Francis has issued his strongest defence yet of church teaching opposing artificial contraception, using a rally in Asia’s largest Catholic nation to urge families to be “sanctuaries of respect for life”.
The pontiff deviated from his prepared remarks during a five-day visit to the Philippines to praise Pope Paul VI for having “courageously” resisted calls for an opening in church teaching on sexuality. Paul wrote the 1968 encyclical Humanae Vitae, which enshrined the church’s opposition to artificial birth control.
Francis noted that Paul was aware some families would find it difficult to uphold the teaching and “he asked confessors to be particularly compassionate and understandable for particular cases”.
From the Guardian:
Pope Francis defends church’s opposition to artificial contraception
It appears that the Philippines has passed a law that would provide free birth control to women and that President Aquino supported that law:
Pope Francis’ comments come in the wake of Philippines president Benigno Aquino's signing a highly controversial reproductive health bill in 2013 that drew strong protest from local bishops and members of the faith.
The legislation requires government-sanctioned sex education for adults, middle school and high school students, as well as a population control program that includes fully subsidized contraceptives under government health insurance. The nation's bishops spoke out strongly against the measure.
Paul VI was right to warn against contraception, Pope Francis says
Well this puts women in their place! Finally. No more "Mr Nice Guy" - Francis takes off the gloves and means business.
I better say no more lest I be found guilty of 'criticizing Pope Francis' faith.'
For I have recently learned from him, that criticizing another's faith is not permissable and that he has the right to punch me out if I so do. Doesn't make for a long conversation.
Apparently Pope Francis is willing to place limits on free speech but not on fertility. And doesn't want to be criticized for his beliefs.
CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?