In a statement, the Parish Pastoral Council of Sanctuario de San Jose in Mandaluyong has advised its parishioners who support the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill "NOT (repeat NOT) to receive Holy Communion until they go to Sacramental Confession and renounce the (bill)," ABS-CBN News reported today.
"While we realize this admonition may be received with some controversy, we wish to clarify this is not a condemnation of sinners, but a condemnation of sins and a call to the sacrament of reconciliation," the Parish Pastoral Council said in the statement.
"The Church forbids receiving Holy Communion if we are not in a state of grace, meaning we have not committed a mortal sin. Because the RH Bill is inherently immoral and evil, recommending, supporting, defending, promoting and practicing its provisions and tenets constitute a mortal sin against many of the 10 commandments," the statement reads.ABS-CBN News reports that a parish spokesperson said the pastoral council has not released the statement to their congregation. However, the statement has been posted on several social networking sites.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said, according to ABS-CBN News, "We really cannot comment on anything. It’s between the church and its members."
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