HOLY UNION for LGBT Couples in Marikina City 

(Please read carefully all the information here to help you plan your wedding ceremony with us.  We are confident that the information below would answer most of your questions about Holy Unions. If you are reading this and got our numbers from this site, please do not text us asking the same information you can find here

 

WHAT IS THE RITE OF HOLY UNION?

The Rite of Holy Union is one of the Rites of the Metropolitan Community Churches all over the world as stated in Article III Section C paragraph 3 of the Bylaws of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, it states..

“The RITE  OF HOLY UNION is the spiritual joining of two persons in a manner fitting and proper by a duly authorized clergy, Interim Pastoral Leader of the church, or UFMCC Elders.  After both persons have been counselled and apprised of their responsibilities one toward the other, this rite of conferring God’s blessing may be performed.”

The essence of the Rite of Holy Union is the vow, the pledging of deepest fidelity of each other. It is the spiritual joining of two persons regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. It is a celebration of love witnessed and affirmed by their friends, family, and the Church.

​

STEP BY STEP PROCEDURE FOR A MEANINGFUL AND MEMORABLE

HOLY UNION:

​

Step 1: Make an appointment with the Secretary or officiating Pastoral Leader(whoever is available) for the Pre-Holy Union Counselling/Seminar and interview.

​

Step 2: After the Seminar, the Pastoral leader will discuss the details of the wedding and the preferences of the couple, if possible. The Pastor will mention what cannot be removed from the Rite. It's not the couple to decide that.

​

Step 3: Fill out the Pre-Holy Union registration form legibly with complete personal information using black or blue ballpen. Submit the accomplished registration form. Set a date for the wedding by paying the Holy Union Fee. A minimum down payment of 50% is required. (see info on fees below)

 

Some people may find this inconvenient specially those living outside Marikina. We could do the initial counseling online through Facebook Messenger or Viber and then the registration form will be sent to the couple via email. The couple needs to send it back filled out together with the downpayment either through Western Union or bank-to-bank transaction.

​

Step 4: Pay the balance at least a week before the wedding date to avoid any collection of fees on the wedding day

​

Requirements for Holy Union in the

Metropolitan Community Church of Marikina City (MCC Marikina)

Both couples must either be the ff:

>single, divorced, separated (legally), widow, widower, or annulled (Submit a Certificate of No Marriage, copy of Birth Certificate and valid ID of the couple, Divorce papers if applicable, and/or copy of court decision if annulled)

> Pre-Holy Union registration and Statement. Fill out the form and bring it during your Pre-Holy Union Counseling. 

> Pre-Holy Union counseling with the officiating Pastoral Leader

(No Pre-Holy Union Counseling, No Holy Union, No Certificate)

> at least 50% Deposit of Holy Union Fee to reserve the date of the ceremony

> at least 18 years old (if below 24 years old, parental/legal guardian/foster parent's consent is required )

> at least 1 year in a steady, loving, responsible and committed relationship (highly recommended)

>must have lived together at least a year (highly recommended)

​

HOLY UNIOON FEES

The Church Board now requires an advance deposit of at least 50% of the total Holy Union fee prior to the ceremony. This is to ensure that your choice of ceremony date agreed by both parties is duly reserved and no other couple could set their ceremony on your date. It also ensures that we won't waste our time and effort on people who deliberately make fake ceremony schedules, thereby freeing our calendars for genuine couples who want to have their ceremony. E-mail us at mccmarikina@gmail.com for details on where to deposit.

​

Ceremony held within the MCC designated venue (MCC home or MCC place of worship) :

Php 5,000.00 Holy Union fee shall be made prior to the date of Holy Union. Full payment can be made a week before the ceremony so as the couple won't forget their remaining obligation. First reservation, first serve basis.

​

Note: MCC Marikina is an emerging Church. We do weddings in hotels, bars, gardens, private homes, restaurants, beach resorts, function rooms, etc. :)  If the ceremony is held outside homes but still within the city of Marikina, please be considerate in providing for the transportation of the Pastoral Leader and at least (5) assistants: Powerpoint Navigator, Commentator/Lector, Praise & Worship Leader, Photographer & Sacristan/Deacon.

​

Ceremony held in non-MCC designated venue:

Php 6,000.00 Holy Union fee to be made prior to the date of the Holy Union.  Full payment should be made before the start of the ceremony. The venue must be reserved by the couple or their wedding coordinator/s and ask the owner/s if a same-sex wedding is fine. This is to prevent any hassles during the Holy Union itself. Be ready with a camera or video as to how the venue owner responds. We can use this as documentation if ever discrimination occurs. Inform immediately the officiating Pastoral Leader. The couple shall also shoulder the officiating Pastoral Leader’s, and (5) assistant's transportation fare to and from the wedding venue should the wedding be held in other locations.

 

The couple can arrange for Holy Union outside Marikina City and anywhere in the country only if the couple provides for a 2-way transportation, food and lodging in advance for the officiating Pastoral Leader and (5) assistants.

Aside from the mandatory Holy Union fees, we also welcome voluntary love offerings donations. pledges and other support for the MCC ministries during the ceremony proper. Currently, we have a few ministries which will be discussed during the Holy Union.  

​

​The Holy Union fees covers only the certificate, liturgy program, and the Pastoral Leader’s honorarium. The Holy Union fee does not cover the wedding reception, rings, veil, cord, candles, flower arrangements, choir, venue reservations etc.  If you  wish to avail of flower arrangement, wedding singer, souvenir and cake maker, wedding planner, photographer, fashion designer, make-up artist, caterer, host, we'll be happy to refer you

​

SAME-SEX

MARRIAGE vs. HOLY UNION

There's a big difference between “Same-Sex MARRIAGE” and “HOLY UNION”.

There are no provisions under the current Philippine law recognizing marriage equality...yet! Only people of the opposite sex couples are currently allowed 'marriage" in the Philippines. MCC Marikina DOES NOT officiate Same-Sex "MARRIAGE". The MCC is the first Christian Church for mostly LGBTQ+ people worldwide and we do not conduct "civil marriage" not yet in the Philippines. On the other hand, "HOLY UNION" is a spiritual joining of two people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. It is a Rite of the Church. It is a Rite being conducted by the MCC in the Philippines and around the world for couples who wish to declare their partnership and unconditional love for their partner before God and the community of the faithful. The Rite of Holy Union is conducted within the MCC's usual Mass/Worship Service which can either be private or public. We issue newly-wed couples their "Holy Union Certificate" and a Memorandum of Co-ownership of their properties if they prefer. 

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

Holy Union is a Church rite. Although it is not legally-binding under current Philippine laws, this rite is morallyspiritual benefits and consequences. Although there may be differences between "Marriage" and "Holy Union", they both share the same essentials. They are both wedding ceremonies. They are both based upon the highest moral law of LOVE and not just about sex, procreation or gender.  Until we work together to pressure the government to enact laws upholding EQUAL RIGHTS for ALL to choose who to love, equal marriage and genuine equality in the Philippines would continue to be a dream. Let's hope that one day, MARRIAGE EQUALITY becomes a reality in our country. Many countries around the world are now beginning to legalize marriage equality and are reaping the benefits it has to offer in their society. However, your HOLY UNION partnership officiated in the Philippines may be recognized as proof of your relationship iin other countries where EQUAL Marriage, civil union, domestic partnership, co-habitation is legally accepted, such as Canada, Australia, Spain, UK, the Netherlands, etc. Currently, the US Embassies are not accepting "Holy Union Certificates" due to the Trump administration. However, immigration policies is another thing altogether. Your Holy Union certificate may strengthen your claim of your relationship and proof of your partnership

​

THE 1987 CONSTITUTION OF THE PHILIPPINES ARTICLE III SECTION 5 PROTECTS THE FREEDOM OF RELIGION.

“No law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed. No religious test shall be required for the exercise of civil or political rights”

​

MCC Marikina will continue to conduct Holy Unions for LGBTQ+ couples in Marikina and elsewhere in the country to prove that no law is higher than LOVE and that LGBTQ+ people can also have stable relationships and be blessed by God through MCC.

​

With or without MARRIAGE EQUALITY law in the Philippines, love is still the highest law, and LGBTQ+ people are entering into relationships and experiencing God's love in their sexual relationships. Soon, we will re-define marriage not by sexual genitalia, race, economic status, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity, but by the greatest of all standards...LOVE.

​

​

MOST COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT

HOLY UNION OF LGBTQ+ COUPLES:

​

​

Q: Where is the MCC Marikina located?

A:  MCC Marikina is located on 29 Mother Theresa St., H. Dela Costa Homes, Barangka, Marikina City. We also hold our services in homes, restaurants, hotels, bars, gardens, beaches, or even garages. For wedding ceremonies, it's up to you to decide where. Should you need to personally see us, please email us @ mccmarikina@gmail.com or call us at 09663383685 and we’d be glad to meet you at our Church office. 

​

Q: Can we get to change our last names after the Holy Union?

A: You can change your last name at anytime (even without a Holy Union) on Facebook, or any other social networking site. But to do this legally, you would need to go to the court, not at MCC. After the Holy Union, both partners shall maintain their respective last names.

Q: We want the most simple ceremony. How much total will we spend for a Holy Union?

A:  Simple or grandest of royal weddings inside a palace, the Holy Union fee remains the same. Read "Holy Union Fees" and advance deposits above. Aside from the fees, give consideration to transportation allowance (cab, bus or air fare, in-transit food for the officiating Pastoral Leader and at least 5 assistants), their board and lodging (if outside Marikina). You may also consider love offerings for the MCC ministries. “Total budget” means considering all the expenses which may vary on a case-to-case basis (amount of guests, reception, flowers, invitations, hotel reservation, type of wedding rings, attire, transportation, etc. Only the Holy Union fee is constant be it a ceremony at a park, garden or inside the grandest luxury hotel. Please do the other math. The stated Holy Union fee only includes the following: Registration, Reservation, Certificate and Pastoral Leader’s honorarium. The Pre-Holy Union Counseling is free of charge.

Q: We have already paid a deposit but we would like to postpone our ceremony from its original date. Is that possible?

A: Yes, it's possible. Give us at least a week of advance notice. Your deposit will remain active only if a ceremony is re-scheduled within 1 (one) year from the original date; otherwise, you would again need to make a new deposit

Q: I want to surprise my partner with a Holy Union ceremony. Can MCC make than happen?

A: You can surprise your partner with an iPad, balloons, cake or a diamond ring or an engagement  proposal. A Holy Union is a Church Rite which both couples must be mutually willing to undergo prior to the ceremony. Both couples must plan ahead for the ceremony, therefore, this won't be a good surprise.

Q: We're not religious. Can you do a civil ceremony instead?

A: Currently, civil ceremonies, which is usually done by the government, still does not recognize same-sex couples in the Philippines. MCC Marikina is an emerging Church and we do church functions, not government functions.

​

Q: Do we need to be members of MCC before the ceremony?

A: Ideally, it would be nice if you have attended our services prior to the ceremony. However, you don't need to be a member immediately. We highly recommend you attend regularly in any Church activity to strengthen your relationship spiritually, emotionally, psychologically, intellectually, physically, financially and sexually way. Come as you are! You are always welcome to join the MCC Marikina family. This applies to MCC Marikina only. Other MCC congregations in the Philippines may have their own policies on this though.

​

Q: Can Holy Union be dissolved in MCC?

A: As a human rights Church throughout the world, we are in favor of "releasing vows" for couples for reasons such as sexual infidelity, rape, abandonment without proper notice for 1 year, drug and alcohol addiction, physical or sexual, or financial abuse.  For couples having irreconcilable differences, we only do extensive counseling and should the relationship becomes irreparable, we advise the couple to "release their vows" by signing a "dissolution of vows agreement" and return rings.

​

Q: My relationship with my partner is on the rocks. I want to save our failing relationship by having a Holy Union. Is that possible?

A: Fix your relationship first before thinking of a Holy Union. This rite doesn't work magic and is not a quick-fix solution to a failing relationship.

​

Q: We are not from Marikina City. Do we need to come for pre-Holy Union Counselling prior to the ceremony, or can we have the counseling on the day itself?

A: The pre-holy union counseling is a requirement. MCC has a standing "No Counseling, No Holy Union, No Certificate" policy. However, we can do the counselling online via video call with both couples present and the couple or the wedding coordinator needs to plan with the Pastoral Leader way ahead of time through social media. Planning would include gathering information about the couple such as names and other information about the ceremony. The couple are advised to meet the Pastoral Leader at least a week before the ceremony for a face-to-face meeting and counseling.

​

Q: What is a "Unity Candle"?

A: A Unity Candle is the single candle that the couple needs to light during the Holy Union ceremony. It could be any candle of any color that would symbolize their union as life partners. It can be artistically decorated with the couple's names, ribbons, flowers or other decorative ornaments. You can check at religious stores or candle maker. You would only need one (1) Unity Candle plus two (2) smaller candles to use to light it with

​

Q: I’m heterosexual and would like to solemnize my relationship with my transgender partner who I love so much. Can we have a Holy Union at MCC?

A: Definitely, as long as you’re both single or have been annulled. MCC offers you this opportunity to profess your love regardless of your gender identity. Transgender people are not accorded marriage rights by the Philippine government and mainstream churches because they do not identify with their "sex assigned at birth".  They could not cross-dress during a Matrimony if they are opposite sex. Therefore, MCC offers this rite to all transgender persons of the Philippines with their heterosexual partners.

​

Q: Do you issue Holy Union Certificates even without going through a ceremony?

A: No. We are not an agency that issues certificates at will. We are not a printing press company. The Rite of Holy Union is not a play thing. We strictly follow a “No Pre-Holy Union Counseling, No Holy Union, No Certificate” policy. We take the Rite of Holy Union seriously and reverently. People don’t get a genuine diploma without going through the educational process. Same thing goes with this holy rite.

​

Q: Will our certificate be registered with the National Statistics Office (NSO)?

A: No. There's no legal basis for it at the moment since we have no marriage equality laws in effect in the Philippines. Please read the "SAME SEX MARRIAGE vs HOLY UNION" section above but records will be kept in our Church and will be reported to the mother church at the end of each year.  .

​

Q: Does MCC Marikina conduct Holy Union for heterosexual couples?

A: Yes we do. We do not discriminate unlike some heterosexuals. Transgender people and their partners usually don’t consider themselves gay or lesbian.  We can also do a Holy Union for heterosexual couples who do not undergo SRS (Sex Re-assignment Surgery) or Hormone Therapy. They just have to be wedded under the State first either through a Judge or a Mayor

​

​

​