THE AUTHOR WITH WIFE Sharon, Timmy and Kiara when they were still in Manila
MANILA, Philippines - I am embarrassed by the fact that I havent studied the RH Bill in its entirety.
Nearly everything that I know about it comes not from the self-motivation to be more informed but rather via more passive means (read: status updates and shared links on Facebook). Even within the confines of the small circle in which I revolve (consisting of family, co-workers and the afore-mentioned handful of FB friends), there are some passionate viewpoints both for and against the bill.
Yes, not knowing enough to make a stand and get my ass off the fence that separates the two sides is a little shameful. But as much as I should ideally dive into the details of a piece of legislation that has the potential to significantly affect our countrys future, I have neither the aptitude nor the time to do so.
More on that later.
Given that damning disclosure of being such an irresponsible citizen of the Republic, if you are expecting either a resounding endorsement for or a biting retort against Father Soc Villegas critical remarks versus the RH Bill, you can stop reading now. I simply do not have the authority to do so.
A friends status update, though, prompted me to spend a bit more time on the matter for reasons unrelated to the nuances of the bill itself. She seemed quite upset with Father Villegas use of the term autistic in his speech (she has a child with special needs).
The exact text from his speech follows and is taken verbatim from the blog of his archdiocese in Lingayen, Dagupan (including typos and questionable punctuation):
I know that many of you my dear youth do not believe in the Church anymore. You thank (sic) the Church does not understand. The Church is autisticmay sariling mundo! The bishops are not listening. The bishops preach from their ivory towers. The bishops are not aware of what the majority of the people undergo. They are distant and unreachable."
I decided to write about this because I, too, have a kid with special needs.
Go here to see the original:
Soc Villegas, autism and the challenges of parenthood