CLASS SOCIAL INTEGRATION INNOVATION.doc

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CLASS SOCIAL INTEGRATION

WORLD POPULATION DAY 2012

JULY 11, 2012

Theme: PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL OF LIFE No to UniversalAccess to Reproductive Health Services

Introduction

World Population Day is an annual event, observed on July 11, which seeks to

raise awareness of global population issues. The event was established by the Governing

Council of the United Nations Development Programme in 1989. It was inspired by thepublic interest in Five Billion Day on July 11, 1987, approximately the date on which the

world's population reached five billion people.

World Population Day aims to increase peoples awareness on various populationissues such as the importance of family planning, including gender equality, poverty,

maternal health and human rights. The day is celebrated worldwide by business groups,

community organizations and individuals in many ways. Activities include seminardiscussions, educational information sessions and essay competitions.

In 1968 world leaders proclaimed that individuals had a basic human right to

determine freely and responsibly the number and timing of their children. World

Population Day was instituted in 1989 as an outgrowth of the Day of Five Billion,marked on July 11, 1987. The UN authorized the event as a vehicle to build an awareness

of population issues and the impact they have on development and the environment.

Since then, with the United Nations Population Fund's (UNFPA) encouragement,governments, non-governmental organizations, institutions and individuals organize

various educational activities to celebrate the annual event.(http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/un/world-population-day)

Activity: Video Presentation Stop Abortion Now

Guide Questions for Sharing and Discussion:

1. How did you feel while watching the video presentation?

2. If you are the parent of the unborn child, what will you do? Why?3. Why do you think abortion is immoral?

4. Why do you think that the right of the unborn should never be compromised over

the right of the mother?

Questioning the Theme of World Population Day 2012

This year, the theme of World Population Day centers on Universal Access to

Reproductive Health Services. UNFPA gives priority to providing basic reproductive

health services to young people, pregnant women, and hard-to-reach populations,including those displaced by humanitarian crises. According to UNFPA, both men and

women need access to information and appropriate health services throughout their lives.

Such information and services are gender sensitive and allow:

All individuals to make informed choices about sexuality and reproduction,

and to have a safe and satisfying sexual life, free of violence and coercion

Women to go safely through pregnancy and childbirth

Couples to have the best chance of having a healthy infant

Women to avoid unwanted pregnancy and to address the consequences of

unsafe abortion
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/un/world-population-dayhttp://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/un/world-population-day


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Access to prevention, treatment and care for sexually transmitted infections,

including HIV.

We would like to offer our critical stand toward the United Nation Theme:Universal Access to Reproductive Health Services. We say NO to Universal Access to

Reproductive Health Services, and this is based on what we see as misleading statements

that characterize the term reproductive health. We ask if such term is really aboutsafeguarding and improving the quality of life, or if the said term which is often

connected to reproductive rights of women, is a deliberate attempt by rich and powerful

nations to enforce policies that will be to the disadvantage of the smaller and poorercountries. Furthermore, to emphasize the rights of the mother over her body does not

mean that her rights should disregard the rights of the unborn life in her womb. She does

not own the unborn that is in her womb.

Universal access to reproductive health services is actively campaigned as aninviolable right that are demanded by mothers. However, this term must be qualified and

analyzed as this phrase is open to multilayered interpretations. What someone says

reproductive rights when it is just arbitrarily the right of a mother that disregards the right

of the defenseless unborn. Even when abortion is deemed both immoral and illegal, stillthose in authority justify the act in the pretext of therapeutic intervention when the health

and safety of the mother is concerned. Circumstances (those who, for serious reasons and

with due respect to moral precepts, decide not to have additional children for a certainperiod of time) at times may dictate that married couples may limit the number of

children and that the sexual act between husband and wife is still worthy even if it can be

foreseen not to result in procreation. This is in the case of natural family planning

methods (abstaining from intercourse during certain parts of the womans cycle) that areallowed, since they take advantage of a faculty provided by nature. Thus, they do not

contradict the moral order which was established by God. (ENCYCLICAL LETTER

HUMANAE VITAE by Pope Paul VI, Chapter II, paragraph 11). However, this must

never be used as a justification to limit the number of children to become state policy that

will coerce married couples to adhere to a one-child policy, and eventually to view

having children as additional burden, and not as a gift. This is applicable only insofar asmarried couples are spiritually and psychologically mature persons who appreciate the

value of life, and are sufficiently aware of the important role that unitive and procreative

love plays in the sexual union between husband and wife.

In the case of abortion, the direct and voluntary taking of all innocent human lifeis always gravely immoral. Defined as "the deliberate and direct killing, by whatever

means it is carried out, of a human being in the initial phase of his or her existence,

extending from conception to birth", either willed as an end or as a means, alwaysconstitutes a grave moral disorder". This moral judgment is also to be applied to forms of

intervention on human embryos which, although carried out for purposes legitimate in

themselves, inevitably involve the killing of those embryos, either in experimentation ortheir use and the use of human fetuses as "biological material" or as providers of organs

or tissue for transplants.

On the other hand, it is held that the sexual act must retain its intrinsic

relationship to the procreation of human life; the direct interruption of the generativeprocess already begun is unlawful. Furthermore, the acceptance of artificial methods of

contraception is then claimed to result in several negative consequences: a general

lowering of moral standards resulting from sex without consequences; the danger thatmen may reduce women to being a mere instrument for the satisfaction of their own

desires; abuse of power by public authorities; and, a false sense of autonomy.


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The legal norms legitimizing abortion and artificial contraception, under the false

pretext of reproductive health services, which are radically opposed to justice, the

common good and the fundamental rights of the individual, lack authentic juridicalvalidity. In the face of these laws, the right to conscientious objection at least must be

recognized, this being a serious obligation for the Christian, who cannot formally

cooperate in evil. Consequently, there remains the commitment of everyone to promotemore just legislation, which will change laws contrary to the right to life and its

inviolability.

Pope John Paul II, in his encyclical Evangelium Vitae, points out that the

"Gospel of life" is at the heart of the evangelizing mission of the church, which mustproclaim Jesus, the "Word of life" (1 Jn. 1:1), the one in whom "the life was made

manifest" (1 Jn. 1:2). The church, defined in a new and expressive way as "the people of

life," has the task of proclaiming, celebrating and serving life. Ever nourished by theword of God, the church has the primary task of ensuring that the Gospel of life reaches

the heart of every man and woman, and that it finds its way into the hidden recesses of

the whole of society. She is called also to celebrate the gift of life, considering it with a

contemplative and grateful spirit in the light of God's love made manifest in his SonJesus.

The mission of the Christian and of the church on behalf of life is fulfilled

through the service of charity because charity leads us "to show care for all life and forthe life of everyone", with a profound attitude of solidarity in every condition and

situation, without prejudice or discrimination. The Holy Father exhorts us to strengthen

and continue today the numerous projects which have been undertaken in this regard,

calling for creative innovation in responding adequately to new challenges. In the area ofprofessional health care, volunteer services, education, social involvement and political

commitment and in the face of complex demographic problems, it is a question of

fostering mature attitudes and finding solutions which respect life.

In particular, at the center of attention must be the family, the "sanctuary of life,"

in which life is welcomed, nourished, brought up and supported, and taken care of in

sickness. However, the family needs to be helped by a social context which is favorableto these values and by policies which promote its primary and irreplaceable role.

It is a question of bringing about a true transformation of culture: the promotionof a "culture of life," in which human freedom will find its authentic meaning by joining

forces with truth, life and love. This culture needs new lifestyles which will show respect

for the dignity of every individual, especially the weakest, which will recognize the valueof human sexuality in the development of the person, and which will accept the

mysterious meaning of suffering and of death. A very special task is entrusted to women,

who are particularly close to the mystery of life, who are called to be its guardians and toreveal its fruitfulness when that task matures into relationships marked by unselfish

giving and willing service. (ENCYCLICAL LETTEREVANGELIUM VITAE, Pope John

Paul II, Chapter IV, paragraph 89 & 93)

CCF Advocacy

The Center for Christian Formation, following the teachings of Jesus, the Way,

the Truth and the Life, embraces the message of the Gospel of Life, which speaks of aprecise and vigorous reaffirmation of the value of human life and its inviolability and a

pressing appeal addressed to each and every person in the name of God: Respect, protect,love and serve life, every human life! Only in this direction will there be justice,development, true freedom, peace and happiness" (Evangelium Vitae No. 5).

1. Life as Gift


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It is not an absolute value in itself: It is entrusted to man as a beginning to be

made fruitful for eternity as a first gift which will reach its fullness if, after the example

of Christ and with his power, it succeeds in becoming a gift of love of God and of others.This is the truest and most profound meaning of life: The gift is accomplished in self-

giving. "For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my

sake and the Gospel's will save it" (Mk. 8:35).

2. Life as Responsibility

We reaffirm the absolute and permanent value of the commandment not to kill

which is at the heart of God's covenant with man. He shows that the commandment is not

a limit but a gift, which invites freedom to follow the paths of respect, service and love oflife.

3. Life as a Task to Be Promoted

Against doubts, skepticism, obscurity and falsehoods, it is a question of

proclaiming in its entirety the joyful message of the value of life; the commandment "youshall not kill" is also part of this message.

Integration in CFE 1

From Revelation, we learn not only of Gods life, but also of our humancondition. Gods self-communication throws light on the question of who and what we

are (Emil A. Canlas, Encountering God in our Life). God has made the initiative of self-

disclosure because of his great love for us, and the proper response is faith. Through Hiswords in Scriptures, we get to know God, who is not a God of the dead, but the God of

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, a living God whose liberating promise of salvation is offered

to us, provided we are willing to place our trust and confidence in Him. Gods Word thatoffers life and love as expressed in the Good News which brings life and happiness to all

who have ears to listen and hearts to accept the process of conversion, and we who by

faith, affirms the invitation to embrace the responsibility as a community, throughcelebration of Gods great love in fellowship and faith. This gracious and loving initiative

by God calls forth for faith, a faith that is borne out of the experience of the presence and

love of the Lord, and which should challenge all to go forth and bear witness (PCP II par.

78). Expressing our faith through deeds of justice and love is particularly urgent wherethere is widespread misconception that faith is relegated to private morality and pietistic

activities (PCP II par. 79). To express faith in the God of life is to serve the last, the least

and the lost, that is, sectors in society that need most attention when it comes to

protection and safeguarding of their dignity as human persons: the poor who havenothing but God as their hope, the unborn and the young children who are dependent on

their parents for their sustenance and survival, the old, infirmed and the dying whosedignity is not lessened by sickness, suffering and old age, and most especially the

physically and mentally handicapped whose quality of life must be improved by recent

advances in medical science and technology. It is the message of Gods revelation that

offers healing, liberation and redemption of humanity, as the whole humanity is on apilgrimage to the realization of Gods Kingdom on earth.

Integration in NSTP CWTS 1

By developing the sense of makabayan, makatao, makaDiyos at makakalikasanas we immerse ourselves in the community, we will understand the implications theGospel of Life in helping us develop the values needed for nation building. Patriotism

takes into account that as a people with a sense of nationhood, we have great respect for

the value of life as a gift that is meant to be lived selflessly for ones fellowmen and

country, and life, when truly offered as sacrifice for the betterment of the least of ourbrethren, is a life lived authentically. We extend the responsibility to value and respect

life when we treat others as human persons to be loved, and not as things to be used to


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serve selfish interests, and as we look deeper into the meaning of the Gospel of Life, the

invitation to build a culture of life and civilization of love demands that persons

perceived as useless and considered as burdens in a consumeristic society, that is, theunborn, the sick, the aged and the dying, and the poor, must be treated with respect and

value. God is offering us salvation and liberation from all forms of oppression, and He

offers us the freedom to live our lives as His children.

Reference:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Population_Day

http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/un/world-population-day

http://countryoffice.unfpa.org/gcc/?events=5063

http://www.unfpa.org/public/world-population-day

http://www.unfpa.org/rh/services.htm

ENCYCLICAL LETTERHUMANAE VITAEby Pope Paul VI

ENCYCLICAL LETTEREVANGELIUM VITAEby Pope John Paul II

Encountering God in our Life, by Emil A. Canlas, Ph.D.

ACTS and DECREES of the SECOND PLENARY COUNCIL of the PHILIPPINES

Prepared by:

Mr. Jan Paul S. LugtuFaculty

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CLASS SOCIAL INTEGRATION INNOVATION.doc