Aiza and Liza Seguerra: Pope’s compassion transcends everything

By: Arvin Mendoza - 10 years ago

Aiza and Liza Seguerra. SCREENGRAB from edition.cnn.com

MANILA, Philippines—Celebrity same-sex couple Aiza and Liza Seguerra are hopeful that the local Church would be more open to the LGBT community in light of Pope Francis’ visit to the country.

“I hope he would shed light to our bishops, our cardinals who are so until now archaic,” Aiza told CNN’s Anna Coren, saying “how the church should just embrace differences because different doesn’t mean bad.”

Aiza and Liza got married on December 9, 2014, in a legal ceremony in California. They had what they called “symbolic ceremony” on January 8 this year, since a wedding rite isn’t allowed by law for same-sex couple in the Philippines.

They are just one of the many Filipino couples who find themselves at odds with the local Church on major social and political issues.

The Philippines, home to seven percent of the world’s Catholics, is one of the countries in the world with no law on same-sex marriage. Besides the Vatican, it is the only country in the world where divorce is forbidden. The reproductive health law, which provides “universal access” to reproductive health services and supplies such as contraceptives, was enacted last year, after long years of opposition from the Church.

“Growing up I was told if you’re gay, you’re lesbian, you’re gonna go to hell. I have to question myself….I feel like how can loving someone be wrong?” said Aiza.

The newlyweds are brimming with renewed hope that the pontiff’s mission of reform and inclusiveness will bring about progressive changes in the country.

“What he’s doing right now is more than enough. It’s just really more than anything….compassion…and I think that transcends everything” said Liza.

Last year, Pope Francis caused a stir among the Catholic community after he gave comments about homosexual people.

He said that religion has the right to express its opinion in the service of the people but not to interfere spiritually in the life of a person. This was received as a signal of the Church’s changing stance to marginalized groups, especially the LGBT community.

“If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?,” the Pope was quoted as saying.

Many expressed their support to Aiza and Liza, especially their families and friends, who were witnesses when the couple pledged eternal love for each other the second time in a beach wedding at San Juan, Batangas. But some still questions their love and marriage.

“I believe more than any scripture, more than any book, I believe in love. They can say whatever they wanna say..they will not discount the fact that yes, we are married and we love each other and we will continue to love each other whatever they say,” said Aiza.