Pastors & Officiating Ministers Updated on Solemnizing Marriages
Dec 17, 2019
More than 130 pastors and church leaders from 88 churches learned the latest about officiating marriages at CSM’s Solemnizing Officers seminar in Parañaque last November 23, 2019. Led by NCR regional officers from the Philippine Statistics Authority or PSA (formerly the National Statistics Office), the seminar tackled the legal bases and requirements for marriage in the Philippines, the proper procedures for obtaining and filing legal documents, and the qualifications of a solemnizing officer.
Guest speakers from the PSA were Chief Statistical Specialist Paciano Dizon on Laws Related to Marriage, Supervising Statistical Specialist Erlinda Borda on Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2007, and Statistical Specialist II Evelyn Bermudez on Marriage Registration Procedures. Administrative Order No. 1 covers the Implementing Rules and Regulations Governing the Registration of the Authority to Solemnize Marriage with the Civil Registrar and Religious Leaders.
According to Dizon, "Solemnizing officers are given power by the state to ensure that couples getting into marriage meet the requirements of the law and create strong families that serve as the foundation of a strong and productive society.”
Dizon also stressed the importance of processing legal documents, "You owe it to the couple asking for your help to officiate their wedding to make sure that their marriage is legal in the eyes of the state.” Solemnizing marriages is a “privilege” given by the state, “so use it wisely and responsibly," he said. He also emphasized that the function of solemnizing marriages must just be one of the many functions of a pastor and not the only function he performs.
This is the fourth time CSM conducted the solemnizing officers’ seminar. The first one was held in 2010. CSM can bring the Solemnizing Officers’ seminar to other places in Metromanila and NCR. Interested ministerial fellowships and pastoral groups can contact the Training Department at 88527301 for more details.