Ottawa 2023. “Decolonizing Faith as Filipinos” at the Pinoys on Parliament Conference.
Recipient: Christie Bernados, Local Student Christian Movement (SCM) Coordinator at the
University of British Columbia, Vancouver Campus
Experience: Facilitating a workshop called “Decolonizing Faith as Filipinos” at the Pinoys on
Parliament Conference in Ottawa (Feb 24-26, 2023)
How has this experience impacted your faith?
The experience of facilitating a workshop at Pinoys on Parliament in Ottawa was very fruitful. I was very blessed to be speaking on something that was so close to my heart being a member of SCM Canada, a queer-affirming faith community. It was particularly meaningful to me to discuss a liberation and faith as a Filipino. Growing up catholic, I knew how important faith was like to my parents who were both immigrants from the Philippines. It was in church; they found a space to connect with community. This is true for a lot of Filipino migrant communities. However, growing up into my adolescence I felt more of a disconnect with my faith learning more about the role of the church in the colonization of Indigenous people in so- called British Columbia as well as learning about the role of the church in the colonization of the Philippines. Additionally, as someone exploring and questioning my sexuality I didn’t feel safe opening up to parents who would thing that homosexuality is a sin. Finding the community of SCM helped me to reconcile with my faith and understand that Jesus was for the poor and oppressed. Facilitating a workshop sharing the power faith can have in bringing about justice cemented my role in this movement. Indeed, During Martial Law, religious workers from the Catholic and Protestant traditions stood with people in their struggle against tyranny, to the point where a line of nuns praying the rosary was created to block tanks from attacking people during the People’s Power Revolution. It is important to acknowledge how faith was utilized as a tool of oppression, but it is also essential to bring about change in our minds and conditions.
Is there a significant experience or story you would like to share with us?
During our workshop, there were about 11 in attendance and they were all very active and engagement. My favourite experience was hearing people open up and be vulnerable by sharing really personal experiences. One person sharing also impacted three other people who became emotional. I wasn’t expected a lot of tears but after the presentation some of the participants expressed to me how great the presentation was. That was my favourite moment, hearing positive reactions from the workshop participants. How did receiving support for this Fund help you in your experience? The Lois Freeman Wilson Fund supported me in the flight to and from Ottawa and the accommodations made during my trip there. I am very thankful for the opportunity and was able to connect to Filipino youth across Canada and share my passion for justice, liberation, and faith.
