PIA Information: Priests Undergo Seminar

Vicariate of Bontoc-Lagawe priests undergo training on solemnizing marriages

by Vency D. Bulayungan
Kiangan, Ifugao (29 December) -- In a bid to update Catholic priests who solemnize marriages, the National Statistics Office (NSO) here conducted a one day seminar on Administrative Order no. 1 series of 2007 or the rules and regulations in solemnizing marriages last December 27 at the Kalugdan's Training Hall at Sito Ibulao, Barangay Baguine here.
Bishop Rodolfo F. Beltran of the Vicariate of Bontoc-Lagawe, who was present during the seminar, said even as this is a sort of review for all the priests as they have already undergone a similar training in the seminary, this is beneficial to the participants and is a venue for them to clarify things with the NSO.
"Even if we are members of the church, we are also law abiding citizens thus we have to follow what is required of us," Beltran said.
Participated by 23 priests all over the vicariate, said A.O. is the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) governing the registration of the authority to solemnize marriage with the civil registrar general bishops, heads/founders of religions and religious sects, priests imams, religious ministers, tribal heads, leaders, chieftains, community elders and other designated authorities.
With the enactment of Executive Order 209 otherwise known as the Family Code of the Philippines, the function of registering the authority of priests or ministers of any church and religious sect to solemnize marriage is vested upon the Office of the Civil Registrar General.
Fr. Sammy Maximo, the Parish Priest here said there are many important information he acquired from seminar. "This is a good reminder that we have to follow the law or policies both civilly and on the side of the church," he said.
Provincial NSO Officer Ester Dulnuan emphasized to the participants that when their license to solemnize marriages expire then they cannot perform marriages. She informed that all designated authorities should undergo said seminar before their license will be renewed. With a renewal fee of P500.00, a certificate is issued to a Solemnizing Officer (SO) certifying the registration of his authority to solemnize marriage after complying with the requirements.
The certificate indicates that the SO is authorized to solemnize marriages under his territorial jurisdiction within the period specified," Dulnuan said. The Certificate of Registration of Authority to Solemnize Marriage (CRASM) shall be valid for a period of three years and shall expire on the 31st day of December of every third year, and shall be renewable within the last quarter of the expiration year. (PIA-Ifugao)

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