MANILA, Oct. 26, 2014— A Catholic bishop has warned the public against “polluting the minds” of the youth by sharing pornographic images and videos over social media.
“We also appeal to people who pass on these kinds of materials to stop from doing so. These pollute the minds of people especially our young people that lead to the trivializing of their sexuality which come from God,” Bishop Gilbert Garcera of Daet in Camarines Norte said.
In a pastoral statement, he called for responsible internet use, the lack of which puts kids at the highest risk for unwanted exposure to pornography.
The prelate, a former secretary general of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, particularly called the attention of parents to protect their children from “lewd photos and pornography” found online.
The bishop issued the statement after scandalous photos showing Camarines Norte Governor Edgardo Tallado and his alleged mistress have surfaced online, going viral.
In recent days, Garcera said many people have witnessed “how sin and inordinate passion” can destroy marital relationships and make or break families— a “reminder” for everyone to renew Church’s efforts to help married people “live up to their promise of fidelity and and fruitfulness in professing their marriage vows.”
“May these trying times in our lives as a province and as a community of God’s people teach us to exert every possible effort to grow close to God so that we may remain in our commitment to our Christian Vocation,” Garcera said.
“We need to pray more for families, especially husbands and wives so that their love and faithfulness will truly be grounded on their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ whose mercy and forgiveness require repentance and reparation,” he added. (CBCPNews)