In 101 years of existence, UCCP reflects on the Gospel of Liberation

February 19, 2012 in Baguio City, national, religion

By ARTHUR L. ALLAD-IW
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — As it turned 101 years, the United Church of Christ of the Philippines of this city reiterates its call to prepare the grounds for community service where the gospel of liberation is abundantly available everywhere.

UCCP BAGUIO AT 101 YEARS. This two storey building of the UCCP Baguio near the Rizal park is dwarfed by high rising commercial buildings in its surroundings. With 101 years since its founding, it has its giant contribution in the religious heritage in this upland area in the north. As it starts its mission for a new century, it reiterates to continue the grounds for community service where the gospel of liberation is abundantly available. Photo by Arthur L. Allad-iw

UCCP Baguio was officially recognized by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) for its religious heritage and services when it unveiled a marker at its Burnham Park church ground on February 11, its 101 founding anniversary.

Bishop Mariano Inong, UCCP Baguio senior minister, said that the February 11 celebration marks the rich heritage and dynamic witness of God’s people, particular to the unity of all people regardless of doctrinal differences.

“This is the witness UCCP Baguio wants to profess and continue,” said Inong in an interview.

The institution was founded February 11, 1911. It was known then as United Evangelical Brethren, renamed as Baguio United Evangelical Church, and then to UCCP. Like the Episcopal doctrine introduced by the Americans in the early 1900s, they spread Christianity in Northern Philippines where Roman Catholicism, introduced hand in hand with Spanish colonialism in the region, failed.

In recognizing UCCP’s role in Christian formation, the NHCP, through the leadership of its Executive Director Ludovic Badoy, turned-over the historical marker on February 11 to the leaders of the institution, Nordis learned.

Due to their achievements through the decades the institution continues to deepen its spiritual commitment.

It polishes a deeper commitment as spiritual leaders towards their religious and social responsibility as Christians, said Bishop Inong. # nordis.net