SAME SEX MARRIAGE IN THE PHILIPPINES?

The Metropolitan Community Churches in the Philippines conducts same sex holy unions in the Philippines since its establishment in 1991.

WHO AM I?

I am currently the Administrative Pastor of a community of believers here in Quezon City since 2006.

I was a member of MCC since 1999.  I graduated at Union Theological Seminary in Dasmarinas, Cavite last March 29, 2008 with the Master of Divinity degree. Awarded the Bishop La Verne Mercado award in Ecumenics.  I was ordained by the *Rev. Elder Kenneth Martin of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches serving the Region One on September 14th of the same year.

* A Reverend Elder in MCC is equivalent to a Bishop.

MCC is an ecumenical Protestant Christian church that ministers to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. A church that we call it—“Church Home for the LGBT”,  this is where we belong. This is what we looking for!

MCC in Quezon City

My partner, Marlon and I started MCC in Quezon City on September 13, 2006 as a Bible study meeting group.  From six members we organized a church of LGBT from Quezon City and nearby cities and provinces.

From no place of permanency in Commonwealth to a more stable abode of worship in 56 Mindanao Avenue. This is where the Chapel of MCCQC is located. Here more and more people feel the acceptance a christian church that will never discriminate. A place that we can say – a sanctuary of love,  “Baler ni Lord”

Services and Ministry

Same Sex Wedding or Holy Union is one the six rites of the church. We have two Sacraments and six Rites. The two Sacraments are Baptism and Holy Communion. The six Rites are Ordination, Attaining Membership, Holy Union/Holy Matrimony, Blessings, Memorial Service and Laying of Hands.

Holy Union is a service and a ministry of the Church.

Holy Union vs Matrimony

The Philippines has no Same Sex Marriage Law or Marriage Equality Law yet. The Holy Union that MCC conducts is a pure ritual. MCC issue a “Certificate of Holy Union” for the couple’s mutual agreement on their vows promised during the said wedding.

In Australia, the wedding conducted in the Philippines is recognized as the proof of relationship between a Filipino and their national.

The Certificate of Holy Union issued of MCC does not guarantee that is applicable to other countries with same sex marriage law.

Holy Union is a ritual conducted to the two persons exchanging vows and promise to love, respect and support to each other till the end of their lives.

Most of my weddings did not seek legality of the union but to ask the blessings from a Church. And we are thankful that the Metropolitan Community Churches has the Rite of Holy Union be available to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community around the world.

Alliance for Marriage Equality Now or A.M.E.N.

The advocacy for Same Sex Marriage in the Philippines is one of my priorities. I believe that the Philippine nation is ready for this. We are nation of accepting. A nation of lovers not haters. We value family. We value love. We value each other no matter what happen. We value the dignity and rights of each other. We want peace and harmonious relationship inside the family.   

Same Sex Marriage will never destroy the Filipino families. Rather it will strengthen the value of love, caring, and respect to one another’s pursuit of happiness. We care less to what the people say; we care more on the happiness of each of us in the family. There is no wrong in love. Love is beyond our gender. We have the right to marry to whom we care for and loved.

Same Sex marriage is not a religious issue, nor about your faith. It is about rights. The freedom to love whom we want to love regardless of who is she or he? Marriage is not about pro-creation alone. It is about mutual love, respect and support.

Marriage is about LOVE. The unconditional love for each other.

I am giving myself 10 years for this advocacy.

Relatioship with People

Walang masama sa pagmamahalan ng dalawang tao na pareho ang kasarian. Ang masama ay yung mga taong nagsasabing masama ang kanilang ginagawa. Anong masama sa pagmamahal kung ito naman ay magbibigay sa kanila ng kasiyahan at kapanatagan ng kanilang mga buhay. Hanggang walang tinatapakan. Walang masama sa pagmamahalan ng dalawang lalaki o dalawang babae.

Hindi tayo hinunusgahan kung nabasa mo ng cover to cover ang Biblia, bagkus kung paano mo ito isinabuhay.

Ang kaligtasan ng tao ay hindi binabase sa kung anong sexualidad mo, bagkus ito ay binabase sa kung anong ginawa mo sa iyong kapwa. Hindi naman ka tatanungin ng Diyos kung bakla ka o hindi, dapatwat tatanungin ka Niya kung binigyan mo ba Siya ng pagkain ng Siya ay nagugutom, nagbigay ka ba ng damit ng Siyang walang damit, binisita mo ba Siya sa hospital or sa bilanguan, binigyan mo ba Siya ng tubig nang Siya’s nauuhaw.

I shall devote the time of my life for total equality in the Philippines. Ang rights ay hindi bukas, hindi next week, kundi ngayon, ngayon na!

For comments: rev.ceejay@yahoo.com

Tel number 5083523

Mobile Number 5083523

www.mccqc.webs.com