Manila (AsiaNews/Agencies) - For Fr Melvin Castro (pictured) executive secretary of the Commission on Family and Life of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), yesterday's Supreme Court ruling on the country's Reproductive Health Act "was not a lost cause after all".
Although the court's decision is "a partial" win, it still represents yet "a major victory," he added because whilst upholding the law's constitutionality it struck down several of its "unconstitutional" provisions.
The Church was especially pleased with the abrogation of certain provisions of Section 7, which would have required Church-run facilities to provide information about family planning methods and services, Fr Castro said.
"The independence of Catholic hospitals" and their right to "conscientious objection" were "strengthened," he explained.
While the Church "cannot see eye-to-eye" with the proponents and supporters of the law, said Mgr Villegas, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, "We can work hand-in-hand [with them] for the good of the country".
Nevertheless, he added, the Church will continue to uphold the sacredness of human life and fight any efforts to destroy it.