A reaction to Mr. Lastimosa's column

I am shocked by Mr. Leo Lastimosa's report in his column published on January 8. With all due respect to Mr. Lastimosa, he is absolutely misinformed. I beg to disagree on his points, as I could not imagine the Pope declaring abortion as legal morally or otherwise through contraceptives such as pills, condoms, and IUDs.

In fact, I have repeatedly read in this same paper that the Pope, when he was yet an archbishop of Argentina led a crusade fighting against these kinds of contraception resulting to abortion. The last time I read about this matter, it is still clear in my mind that the Synod of the Bishops or the bishop's meeting was not able to come up with a conclusive recommendation to the pontiff, owing to a division of two believers between the radical bishops and the conservative bishops about abortion, same sex marriage and divorce. As a result, another meeting of bishops was set for January (this month) to have the synod come to a close to finally come up with a conclusive recommendation.

If I may add, as of this date, the Pope has not yet made a categorical stand. What he has only said is to go easy and relax about the stand of the Church and to treat the couples, more humanely, regarding divorce, gays, same sex marriage, among others. Even then, the synod dealt more time and effort on divorce, no mention about abortion.

I most respectfully request that this short piece will find space in your paper if only to give the reading public a clear outlook on this very important religious issue.

Thank you very much.

Very respectfully yours,

Lamberto A. Paradiang, Sr.