The Immaculate Conception Takes Rightful Place as National Holiday in the Philippines
On December 28, 2017, the President of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, signed a decree that made the feast of the Immaculate Conception, patroness of the country, a national holiday.
The Philippines, with a population of 80% Catholics, recognizes the Immaculate Conception as the country’s principal patroness. Even before the law was passed, the Church invited the faithful to participate in religious services and all the country’s schools cancelled classes.
The bill was proposed by deputy Rodolfo Farinas, who explains that the goal of this measure is “to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, patroness of the Philippines”. Ramon F. Santiago, of the Couples for Christ Global Mission Foundation, declared to AsiaNews: “I believe that this is good because the patroness of the Philippines is our Blessed Mother Mary.”
This decision is praiseworthy. Yet President Duterte declared on Sunday, December 17, 2017, that he is favorable to so-called same-sex “marriage”. He was speaking in Davao, where he used to be mayor, to a gathering of homosexuals. His government is working to further this project, although several representatives of the Philippine Catholic Church have expressed their opposition. Rodrigo Duterte even criticized natural morality, declaring, “Why impose a morality that is no longer working and almost passe?”
May the Immaculate Virgin open his eyes.
Sources: VaticanNews / cath.ch / AsiaNews / Atlantico / FSSPX.News
