• Office of Minority Leader Edcel C. Lagman
• 0916-6406737 / 0918-9120137
• Official Website: http://www.edcellagman.com.ph
• 01 October 2010

           The criminal complaint of the Archdiocese of Manila which caused the prolonged detention of RH activist Carlos Celdran in a police cell smacks of intolerance and unchristian conduct by the Catholic hierarchy.

           It is stretching too far the church’s opposition to the reproductive health bill because the ejection of Celdran from the Manila Cathedral premises was sufficient and his incarceration at the time when prosecutory and judicial offices were closed was unnecessary and unwarranted.

           Celdran is being charged with violation of Article 133 of the Revised Penal Code on “Offending the religious feelings”, which is of an archaic and colonial vestige.

           Celdran’s display of a placard on which was written the name “DAMASO” is an apt reminder to Church officials of the abuses and inequities of the clergy during the Spanish colonial regime when the Church wantonly interfered in secular activities and dictated on civilian authorities.

           The message of Celdran is that “Father Damasos” have survived the Spanish era and continue to bedevil government up to today.

           The protest of Celdran is even of a lesser degree than the clergy’s using the pulpit to repeatedly lambast and defame RH advocates in lieu of a homily on the gospel for the day, which malicious tirades also offend the religious feelings of the faithful who go to church to participate in a solemn mass.