PBS Frets Philippines ‘Diluting’ Population Control Law to Protect Religious Liberty

PBS Bemoans Philippines 'Diluting' Population Control Law to Protect Religious Liberty (NewsBusters)

For years, the UN has urged the Philippine government to take action – to provide free contraception and family planning for the poor. Recent surveys indicate eight in ten Filipinos now agree. But the Philippines' most powerful institution, the Roman Catholic Church, has fought family planning policies every time they are raised.

In a country where more than 80 percent are practicing Catholics, the Church has dominated nearly every aspect of life for more than 400 years – its moral authority and political power rarely challenged, especially when it comes to reproduction. Abortion here is strictly illegal – although rare exceptions are made if the health of the mother is at risk. Outside the Vatican, it is the only country in the world where divorce is still not allowed. And while the Philippine church says it's not opposed to natural family planning – avoiding intercourse when a woman is most fertile – it remains opposed to all forms of artificial contraception.