The Coalition of Services of the Elderly Inc. (COSE) has recognized Rev. Fr. Richard Mickley, CDOS, OSAe, PhD as one of the Sampung Ulirang Nakatatanda (Ten Outstanding Elderly) of 2013.
Established in 1989, COSE is a non-government organization working with older persons in urban and rural areas in the Philippines. It primary directive is to uphold the rights of older people by respecting their cultural diversity, nurturing their potentials, recognizing them as a significant sector and ensuring that they remain healthy, self-reliant and secure.
Annually, COSE awards 10 elderly people whose works merit recognition.
Mickley is a bishop of the Catholic Diocese of One Spirit, Philippines; and the abbot of The Order of St. Aelred and St. Aelred Friendship Society. He established the LGBT-affirming Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) in the Philippines in 1991. He also helped found the first Pride March in the Philippines and in Asia in 1991. Mickley retired from MCC in 1995, which was when he established The Order of St. Aelred to allow him to carry on sex positive ministry in the country.
In May 2013, Mickley opened with Argel Tuason The Well, a healing center that aims to promote the wholistic well-being and wellness of LGBT people. The Well offers sessions in wholistic wellness with HIV, 12-steps addiction recovery, and relationship programs, among others.
“For me, (winning) was a wonderful opportunity to let more people know about The Well and our work to bring long life and fulfillment to persons living with HIV and other serious life difficulties,” said Mickley. “If I can help one person with HIV to live in wellness and fulfillment, I shall not have lived in vain.”
