National Day of Prayer against RH Bill is May 9: CBCP

MANILA, May 5, 2011— The Catholic Church has set May 9 as “National Day of Prayer” to invoke divine intervention and guidance for legislators to reject a birth control measure.

Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles said he called on the faithful to devote special time in praying for the lawmakers that they reject the reproductive health (RH) bill.

In an interview over Radyo Veritas Thursday, he also encouraged the praying of the rosary regularly starting on Monday until the controversial measure is finally junked.

“I-alay natin ang pagdarasal ng rosary sa mga Kongresista, Senador at kay Pangulong Aquino na maliwanagan ang kanilang pag-iisip at pahalagahan ang buhay,” Arguelles said.

In Southern Philippines, Cotabato Auxiliary Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo said they’ve a “text brigade” for the success of the National Day of Prayer.

He said it’s high time for the people to publicly show their opposition against the bill which pushes the use of contraceptives.

“This will manifest our unity. To show to everybody that all sectors of the society are against the proposed bill,” said Bagaforo.

“This is also an opportunity for us as one nation… one voice in prayer,” he said, and which according to him, is an effective instrument in the fight against the bill.

In Agusan Del Sur, Butuan Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos said the church will also lead a protest against the passage of the RH bill.

Pueblos said he is set to make a directive to his priests to observe the National Day of Prayer by also wearing blue or white shirts or by wearing white ribbon pins.

He said he will also order the holding of a prayer vigil on Monday.

“I will call my people to do this, let’s storm the heaven with prayers,” Pueblos said.

In Manila, the Church is currently on its 5th day of holding a novena-for-life against RH bill.

The novena will end on May 9, the day Congress will again take up the proposed legislative measure on birth control.

The novena-for-life is scheduled from 6:00 to 9:00 pm daily at the chapel of the Arzobispado in Intramuros, Manila. (CBCPNews)