By Karl Ocampo
Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates “Soc” Villegas will spearhead this year’s Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) until the end of his term. Being the secretary of the late Jaime Cardinal Sin for twenty years, the 52-year-old bishop is expected to have the same charisma as his mentor; his peers hoping he would be able to tip the scales in favor of the Church as the country is slowly turning their backs in traditional ways.
Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates “Soc” Villegas will spearhead this year’s Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) until the end of his term. Being the secretary of the late Jaime Cardinal Sin for twenty years, the 52-year-old bishop is expected to have the same charisma as his mentor; his peers hoping he would be able to tip the scales in favor of the Church as the country is slowly turning their backs in traditional ways.
“One thing is certain; the archbishop will talk as needed. He will not keep quiet,” Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz said over a phone interview in a newspaper on Sunday.
Villegas is to lead 96 active and 40 honorary members of the bishops’ collegial body after Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma ends his term on Dec. 1. To succeed him as vice-president is Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles.
Archbishop Cruz said that the new CBCP president will surely exercise his pastoral duties and will put into action his qualifications.
It is of no surprise that the CBCP’s new leader is known for staunch opposition to RH law and abortion. Despite strong ties with Pres. Benigno Aquino II’s mother, the former president and the late Corazon Aquino, his peers perceive him as someone who will not bow down to the administration’s endeavors.
Citing a pronouncement made by Villegas which Cruz said “had angered the palace,” Villegas said that “contraception is corruption. The use of government money, taxpayers’ money to give out contraceptive pills is corruption.
Contraceptive pills teach us it is all right to have sex with someone provided you are safe from babies,” strongly stressing it mainly to the youth.
“Villegas’ statement denouncing President Aquino for supporting the RH measure was proof that he would continue to lead the Church in fighting other measures that would compromise Catholic values,” Cruz commented.
Archbishop Villegas is expected to stand by the Church teachings and pursue its fight against the Reproductive Health law despite the growing criticisms they are receiving especially after recommending the viewing of “Breaking Dawn” and dissuading the viewing of an LGBT-themed drama “My Husband’s Lover.”
Just recently, one of twelve petitions submitted to the Supreme Court seeking to nullify the RH law came from the son of CBCP legal counsel Jo Aurea Imbong.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte, when asked about Archbishop Villegas’ election, said that they extend their congratulations to Archbishop Villegas, adding that they wish him well as he faces new challenges as president of the CBCP. Valte added that the Palace is looking forward to “future engagements under his leadership.” #
Villegas is to lead 96 active and 40 honorary members of the bishops’ collegial body after Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma ends his term on Dec. 1. To succeed him as vice-president is Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles.
Archbishop Cruz said that the new CBCP president will surely exercise his pastoral duties and will put into action his qualifications.
It is of no surprise that the CBCP’s new leader is known for staunch opposition to RH law and abortion. Despite strong ties with Pres. Benigno Aquino II’s mother, the former president and the late Corazon Aquino, his peers perceive him as someone who will not bow down to the administration’s endeavors.
Citing a pronouncement made by Villegas which Cruz said “had angered the palace,” Villegas said that “contraception is corruption. The use of government money, taxpayers’ money to give out contraceptive pills is corruption.
Contraceptive pills teach us it is all right to have sex with someone provided you are safe from babies,” strongly stressing it mainly to the youth.
“Villegas’ statement denouncing President Aquino for supporting the RH measure was proof that he would continue to lead the Church in fighting other measures that would compromise Catholic values,” Cruz commented.
Archbishop Villegas is expected to stand by the Church teachings and pursue its fight against the Reproductive Health law despite the growing criticisms they are receiving especially after recommending the viewing of “Breaking Dawn” and dissuading the viewing of an LGBT-themed drama “My Husband’s Lover.”
Just recently, one of twelve petitions submitted to the Supreme Court seeking to nullify the RH law came from the son of CBCP legal counsel Jo Aurea Imbong.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte, when asked about Archbishop Villegas’ election, said that they extend their congratulations to Archbishop Villegas, adding that they wish him well as he faces new challenges as president of the CBCP. Valte added that the Palace is looking forward to “future engagements under his leadership.” #
