Prayer rally vs same sex marriage set on Saturday

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma is urging all parish priests, heads of quasi-parishes and chaplaincies, administrators of Catholic Schools and religious organizations to join this Saturday's "Unity Prayer Rally for the Family."

In Circular No. 21/15, Palma is requesting participants to bring placards and streamers expressing opposition to House Bill No. 110 or the Anti-Discrimination Act, which reportedly allows "same-sex marriage."

"May we find strength and unity in our call for action to preserve the sanctity of marriage as a God-given institution between male and female," Palma said.

The event, which will start at 2:30 p.m. at the SPFY Covered Court, Archbishop's Palace Compound, is expected to gather at least 5,000 participants.

Seven congressmen in Cebu are expected to oppose the passage of the proposed measure. They are Representatives Gerard Anthony Gullas (first district), Gwendolyn Garcia (third district), Benhur Salimbangon (fourth District), Ace Durano (fifth district), Luigi Quisumbing (sixth district), Aileen Radaza (lone district of Lapu-Lapu) and Raul del Mar (Cebu City First District). 

Rene Josef Bullecer, national chairman of the Council of the Laity, said that Buhay Partylist Representative Lito Atienza will invite other congressmen in the country to join the event.

Bullecer said that the number of pro-life legislators in the House of Representatives has increased from 56 to 80.

He explained that the Council of Laity, which is composed of 50 organizations nationwide, has millions of members who support pro-life candidates in the coming national elections.

"We will campaign vigorously those candidates who are pro-God, pro-life, pro-marriage, pro-poor and pro-ecology. We should support against the passage of this gay marriage bill," Bullecer said.

So far, there are 26 countries in the world that allow same-sex marriage.

"Di ta mosugot nga mahimong ika-27th country ang Philippines to allow same-sex marriage. Our Constitution allows only marriage between a man and a woman. We cannot just change our Constitution to accommodate them. God created only man and woman. We should not go against God," Bullecer added.

Aside from prayers and speeches, a covenant signing will also take place.  (FREEMAN)