Christian Group Apologizes to LGBTQ Community at Filipino Pride March

By Elisa Meyer --
03 Jul 2018 --

This is the Church of Freedom in Christ Ministries fourth year attending the parade.

Members of the Church of Freedom in Christ Ministries in Makati, Philippines pleasantly surprised LGBTQ individuals all over the world when its parishioners carried banners and placards apologizing for the manner a few Christians have intentionally hurt gays. The parishioners showed their support during the June 30 Metro Manila Pride March in the city.

Christian Group Apologizes to LGBTQ Community at Filipino Pride March[/tweetthis]

The banners were short but adequately descriptive. One confessed, “I’m sorry I’ve rejected and hurt your family in the name of family values.” Another read “Jesus didn’t turn people away. Neither do we.”

I literally cried when I saw this kanina. Imagine living in a society with nothing but love and respect for each other. ? #RiseUpTogether pic.twitter.com/rL4rPaWHel
— Jamilah Salvador (@JAMBIyutiful) June 30, 2018

For members of Church of Freedom in Christ Ministries (FICM), this participation is not new. In an interview with BuzzFeed News, church pastor Val Paminiano said this is an annual affair for the church. The church members have attended pride marches for multiple years as a component of the church's "I'm Sorry" campaign.

“We are apologizing for the way Christians have hurt the LGBT community, especially by using the Bible in condemning and judging them. I used to believe that God condemns homosexuals” Paminiano said.

His viewpoint changed when he carefully studied the scriptures. He soon realized that people who condemn homosexuals have studied the book in a selective manner. The pastor said that he realized a lot to discover. He is however sure that God does not indulge in any discrimination based on their sexual orientation. He hoped that other Christians would stop using the scriptures to castigate the LGBT community. He said that such an attitude keeps the LGBT people away from the church and consequently from Jesus as well.

The FICM shot into the limelight when one Pride attendee took photos of the then-unknown Christian group at the Marikina Sports Center. The photographs were subsequently posted on social media. The caption described the author crying when he read the signs imagining a society where everyone respects and loves one another. Church members roamed the parade, making sure that everyone gets to read the message.

So happy we got to spend our first Metro Manila Pride March together. Thank you for always lifting me up, literally and figuratively. ❤❤❤❤❤❤ pic.twitter.com/w3r9rXJXC0
— Justin Naredo (@JustinFrancPoid) July 1, 2018