MANILA, November 6, 2008—Catholic Church leaders have found a new way to influence lawmakers of their anti-Reproductive Health Bill stand.

Fr Anton Pascual, executive director of Caritas Manila president, said Bishop Teodoro Bacani has written a book entitled “Catholics and HB 5043- Reproductive Health 2008”.

The book seeks to enlighten the minds of the legislators, especially those who are supportive of the proposed measure, on the sacredness and value of life, Pascual said.

“Hopefully the minds of those pushing the passage of this bill will realize that life is sacred and that this is God’s gift to mankind,” he said.

Aside from giving lawmakers a book, the Church official said they will also mount “pro-life billboards” in different parts of the country to create more awareness about the Church’s position on the issue.

The billboard will carry the theme “Yes to Life, No to RH bill,” Pascual added.

The Church has recently conducted a signature campaign and held anti-RH bill prayer rallies nationwide.

The RH bill is currently pending for deliberation at the House plenary that is set to resume next week.

The country’s influential Catholic bishops’ leadership had earlier affirmed there’s no slowing down in their campaign against the passage of the bill which they considered as “immoral” and “anti-life.”

Several lawmakers, led by the bill’s principal author Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, have already expressed support to the measure saying they are only eight votes away from the required 120.

“The Church will maintain its prophetic stand as it will continue to oppose the passage of this RH bill in Congress,” Pascual said. (CBCPNews)