After setting up a “pro-life” website, Filipino Catholic bishops are now eyeing bloggers as their latest online weapon against the controversial reproductive health (RH) bill.

Officials of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) met with bloggers to convince them to use faith-based blogging in spreading Catholicism.

“Let’s crusade for new media founded on solid grounds,” Monsignor Pedro Quitorio, CBCP media director, told bloggers during a meeting yesterday.

Monsignor Quitorio said the meeting was aimed at creating a network of volunteer bloggers who will spread the “Gospel of Life” in cyberspace.

It was not a how-to seminar, but rather a gathering meant to acknowledge the role of blogs in modern communications, he said.

“Media is not only about talking or writing, it’s more than that. In our context (as Catholics), it’s about delivering Christ’s message,” he said.

The Catholic Church is against the proposed RH bill because of provisions allowing artificial contraception.

Carlos Antonio Palad, one of the bloggers who attended the meeting, said there is a need to be proactive in campaigning against the bill.

“Do not be afraid. Let’s engage our enemies (in the RH bill debate),” Palad said.

Last month, the CBCP launched an online portal on pertinent issues related to family and life issues.

The portal contains position papers, as well as scientific and medical documents that back CBCP’s stand against the RH bill.