Dominicans vs Jesuits in the 21st century

I guess there's something about centuries-old rivalries in the Catholic Church that kindle the fire in some people. Take this piece by the Inquirer's Antonio J. Montalvan II (Kris-Crossing Mindanao, The Varsitarian speaks to UP and the Ateneo, p. A15 Dec. 8, 2008) on the controversial Reproductive Health Bill. He quotes the Varsitarian (UST's school paper. And I must admit this is the first time I've seen the Varsi being quoted by a major broadsheet daily, the PDI no less. Times have indeed changed) editorial extensively. The issue is the RH bill, and the stand taken by UP economists and the 14 Ateneo faculty members for it. At the other side of the spectrum is, of course, the Holy Roman Catholic Church.

It is really unfortunate that the whole RH issue is being viewed from a religious context (as opposed to a moral context, which should not be considered one and the same). The Catholic hierarchy has been consistent in its stand against the RH bill primarily because of one overaching principle: choice. Apparently, in the eyes of Church leaders, the freedom to choose is a dangerous tool for Catholics. And perhaps it is, as the Church's actions imply. The very fabric of the Catholic faith is built around obedience and loyalty (arcane to some, inane to many). The Church, in fact, has been largely unapologetic for its many obsolete tenets.

Choice is the issue here. The question is: what is at stake? I think this is a question that the Church tends to overlook. On one hand, we see the RH bill as an empowering law that provides options and choices for women, and ensuring all possible benefits as allowed by law. On the other, we surmise a direct challenge to the authority of the Catholic Church in overseeing matters that are, by history and tradition, supposed to be under its aegis.

If this argument is supposed to be bolstered by attempts to debunk supporting discussions on population growth and economic well-being of a nation, then it only further erodes my faith in Catholicsm as a religion to live by. Mr. Montalvan's critique of the "doomsday" message propounded by the UP economic professors (including liberal attributions to the "obsolete" Malthusian scenario, and to Nobel laureate Simon Kuznets) -- that there should be no correlation between population growth and economic well-being -- is horribly shortsighted at best.

The worst of this argument is mental dishonesty. What person in his right mind would purposely overlook the simple economic reality that more mouths to feed would derail the future of this nation? The Philippines is a baby farm, no thanks to the Church's own admonition to go out and procreate (the most basic of lessons taught by priests in the rural areas up to this day). Must we throw conventional wisdom out the window simply because our beloved Catholic Church says we must abide by God's law or else risk eternal damnation? It is convenient to say we (RH bill supporters) have been left behind by pronouncements by international media that population control is one of the greatest myths of the 20th century. Perhaps Mr. Montalvan was thinking of Singapore. Population control, a myth in the Philippines? Indeed, if only because the Catholic Church has been steadfast in its refusal to acknowledge reality. I take comfort in the words of my former boss, Cip Roxas, with his reprimand of the Church on contraception, sex education, and population control: You donna play the game, you donna make the rules!

As to the Varsi's rebuke of the Ateneo 14 (and, I am sure, an indirect poke at the Jesuits), I imagine a throwback to those heady days of the Vatican when the Pope owned the world and ruled the seas, when kings and princes paid homage to the Vicar, not as spiritual leader but as an emperor from heaven who led armies and navies to keep blasphemers and heretics in check. Jesuits should know that while they are the soldiers of Christ, Dominicans are the quintessential insiders and kingmakers. When it comes to defending the Church (not necessarily the faith), kingmakers will rule the armies.