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September 11, 2007

Filipino church leaders hail Christian conversion code

by Maurice Malanes
Ecumenical News International

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Christian leaders in the Philippines have said that a “code of conversion” to Christianity, which Protestant, Anglican and Orthodox churches, as well as Roman Catholics, began to map out in France last month, provides a potential counter to aggressive proselytizing in their country.

“The code of conversion is a welcome development, especially in the light of new Christian groups, which are aggressively ‘planting churches,’” the Rev. Joseph Suico, a theology professor at the Asia-Pacific Theological Seminary, told Ecumenical News International. “In the process,” he explained, “these new Christian groups end up marginalizing already established small churches.”

Suico has followed up developments on the proposed code of conduct for those who seek Christian converts. This was the main agenda item of an August 8-12 consultation jointly hosted by the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and the Geneva-based World Council of Churches’ program on interreligious dialogue and cooperation. The meeting took place in Toulouse, France. A finalized code is expected by 2010.

The Rev. Simplicio Dang-awan, Jr, of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, also welcomed the code, and said it may help in regulating what he believes is aggressive proselytizing activities by some Korean missionaries in his country.

“Because they have money, these Korean missionaries, through Filipino dummies, are buying land and buildings for their churches,” complained Dang-awan. “I wonder if the code would also cover foreign missionaries buying local properties, which Philippine laws prohibit.”

Dang-awan added that an ethical code may yet help prevent “fake missionaries” from operating in the southeast Asian country.

The Rev. Sin Hung-Ju, a missionary pastor in Baguio, told ENI in July that of the 150 Koreans listed in Baguio City as missionaries or pastors by the immigration bureau, only he and four others were licensed or ordained.

“If finalized and implemented, the code may help improve and further strengthen ecumenical relations among the various churches,” said Catholic priest the Rev. Andres Cosalan, the Baguio diocese’s social action program head.