Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) - Episcopal Office on Women chairperson, Bishop Crispin Varquez (Facebook photo) MANILA - A Filipino prelate welcomed the United States (US) Supreme Court's decision to overturn its earlier ruling that allowed abortion in the country. In an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas on Tuesday, Bishop Crispin Varquez, head of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) - Episcopal Office on Women said the decision is a piece of good news and is one that is "enlightened by the Holy Spirit". "It was timely when Rome celebrated the World Meeting of Families led by Pope Francis," he said. On the other hand, Varquez is hoping that women who have suffered because of abortion will learn to forgive themselves. "They need to ask forgiveness from God, from their aborted babies, and learn to forgive themselves as well," he said. Last week, the high court reversed its 1973 decision on the Roe v. Wade case, which provided for the constitutional right to abortion in the US. US President Joe Biden described the decision as unfortunate as he vowed to protect the reproductive health rights of Americans through other measures. Global broadcaster CNN reported that this will mean abortion rights have to be determined by states unless Congress acts. It added that almost half of US states already have or have yet to pass anti-abortion laws while some have passed strict measures to regulate it. The Catholic Church is against abortion. (PNA) }