Pentecostal missionaries not beggars

CEBU, Philippines - Members of the Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ, who preach on the streets and ask donations from people, are not considered as mendicants.

This was the opinion rendered by Councilor Edgardo Labella, chairman of the committee on laws and ordinance, in a report on the letter sent by the Missionaries of the Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (PMCC) asking the Cebu City Council to exempt them from some provisions of the city’s Anti-Mendicancy Ordinance.

The Council adopted his report.

PMCC President Bro. Steven Lee had asked for the amendment of City Ordinance (CO) 1631 specifically on the definition of a ‘mendicant’ to prevent confusion. This was after they were prohibited from taking gifts from people and from teaching the Gospels in the streets.

CO 1631 defines a ‘mendicant’ as individuals depending on alms for a living or members of a religious order forbidden to own property and who must beg for a living.

The City Anti-Mendicancy Commission considers preachers on the streets as mendicants and has called their attention on the prohibition against their acts of soliciting for money or any kind of goods in public places.

The commission also ordered them to stop the practice.

But Labella said the preachers of the Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ may not be considered as mendicants.

Labella said it does not appear that they use begging as their sole means of living and as preachers of their church, they are also being materially supported by their members.

The committee also recommended that the commission be advised to “cease and desist” from prohibiting the PMCC from the pursuit of their street-side preaching in the course of accepting gifts or alms from the public.

Labella also said there is no need to amend the existing City Ordinance.

In his letter to Councilor Rodrigo Abellanosa, chairman of the committee on social services, Lee asked for the amendment of City Ordinance (CO) 1631 specifically the definition of a ‘mendicant’.

“They cannot be said as having neglected to apply themselves to some lawful calling-ministry in any faith or religion in lawful calling or employment, one that is even guaranteed under the Constitution,” Labella said.

Labella said it is difficult to distinguish the activity of Lee’s preachers from religious organizations that have attracted a huge number of followers.

The City Council adopted the recommendation of the committee report of Labella, but he said that the Council would approve a legislation to prohibit the putting up of solicitation boxes everywhere in the city streets.

Councilor Margot Osmeña, on the other hand, suggested that if somebody wants to give anything he can directly give it to the church and not on the streets. (FREEMAN)