“DISGUSTING, embarrassing, and shameless.”

This was how Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz described a new government policy requiring Catholic priests to undergo seminars before they are given authority to officiate wedding ceremonies.

“As long as I’m the archbishop of Lingayen--Dagupan, we will not abide by this idiotic money-making scheme of the government,” said Cruz.

Within the month, 30 priests from his archdiocese may no longer be able to solemnize marriages after their government-issued licenses expire.

Another 30 more priests will have expired authorization within 12 months.

The new policy, contained in a circular from the National Statistics Office (NSO), requires priests to take a seminar on the marriage laws of the land and regularly go through “refresher seminars”, all with a corresponding fee ranging from P900 to P2,400.

“Believe it or not, unless the priests undergo such orientation and refresher seminars, they will not be allowed to solemnize the sacrament of matrimony. It is as gross and devious as that,” Cruz said in a circular he issued recently to all priests under his wing.

“But more than just a matter of money, what is disgusting and revolting is that this incumbent administration even dares to camouflage its greed for money by inventing such money-making seminars,” he said.

He said he was informed the diocese of Alaminos City will not also abide by this NSO order but he is not certain how the other dioceses in the country will respond.

“That being the case, unless otherwise provided, the priests in the archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan will gradually stop celebrating marriages in all churches and chapels”.

“Thanks to this insensitive and greedy administration. Too bad for the Catholics in the archdiocese. I am very saddened by the unconscionable memorandum,” he said.

Cruz said it is his first time, in his very long years as priest, to receive such a“crazy” memorandum.

He said he has discussed this matter with his Episcopal Council.

Asked what would-be couples would do regarding this matter, he said,” They go to the civil court, to the judges and there let also the judges baptize their children”.

Cruz also advised those who had scheduled their Catholic Church weddings earlier “to get priests from another place whose government authorizations have not yet expired and invite them to solemnize their marriage”.

“Wala naman akong problema na magbayad ng magbayad. Pero huwag mong sasabihin sa akin na kailangan ka pang mag seminar to know civil laws on marriages. They’re the ones supposed to know that because they’re the ones who issue license. We also have our Church laws on marriage and we know it,” he said.

He added, “I think they are from Mars”. #

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