I’m beyond pissed. I’m furious. Fr. Mike ever so kindly granted our request to be the officiating priest at our garden wedding ceremony (read: not in a church). Thus, our plans went underway working under the assumption that we can have our Catholic wedding at this beautiful garden setting surrounded by a man-made lake. Then comes my conversation with the priest of the parish where our garden is located and he goes “We do not allow holding any garden weddings. Not in my Parish. Not anywhere in the Philippines.” “I will not allow it at my Parish. The Archbishop will not allow it” The fact the he said such in a forceful and superior tone didn’t help matters. First off, this is not a tirade against God, neither is this against the Vatican. This is solely against the Catholic Church in the Philippines. Incredibly, Catholic weddings in the Philippines, and only in the Philippines, are prohibited from being celebrated in any other place but the church. I don’t understand why. If Catholics in other countries can marry outside of the church, why can’t we do the same here in the Philippines? Is there now such as thing as “Filipino Catholic”? Last time I checked, we were Roman Catholics. I cannot understand the wisdom behind such prohibition? WHY? WHY? WHY? If masses can be held at malls, on the streets and every where else, why can’t a wedding ceremony be held at a very serene and peaceful environment surrounded by the natural wonders of God? Isn’t it that God’s presence can be felt anywhere? Why are we forced to hold a wedding ceremony at a church wherein the moment we step out the doors, we are immediately bombarded by the noise of the bayan, the radios and the roaring jeepneys and tricycles? There is simply no reason for such prohibition. Even more, this prohibition has nothing to do with God. Even if I would allow the church to dictate the venue of my ceremony, chances are, the Church will be fully booked already and will be unable to accommodate us. We chose a particular date for various reasons special to us as a couple. I refuse to allow the Church to dictate WHEN I should be getting married. I’m a lawyer I know that rules are essential for an orderly and civilized society. However, there must be a reason for such rules. These can not be whimsically, arbitrarily capriciously and despotically imposed upon the people. I refuse to surrender to the unreasonable whims of the Filipino Catholic Church. This is not to say that I’m denouncing my Catholicism. I’ve been brought up as a Catholic and has imbibed most of its teachings. However, I know when to stop and refuse from being a puppet.