MANILA – “Let this be one of the legacies of our quincentennial celebration for the arrival of the Christian faith in our country.“
So, decreed Thursday Archdiocese of Manila Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo in abolishing the fixed rates for baptisms, confirmations, and Mass intentions in the archdiocese that covers the cities of Manila, Pasay, Makati, Mandaluyong, and San Juan.
The abolition of the so–called arancel system of fixed payments for church services takes effect starting April 14.
In his decree dated March 25, 2021, Pabillo noted that in 2017 the bishops of the Ecclesiastical Province of Manila issued a pastoral letter on stewardship and the abolition of the arancel system that was envisioned by the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines held 30 years ago.
“In response to this letter, we, in the Archdiocese of Manila, have gradually prepared to establish stewardship programs and implement the removal of the arancel system,” said the bishop.
Pabillo likewise noted that “the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines also reiterated this commitment in line with the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines.”
He was referencing to pastoral statement issued after the 121st Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines last January, wherein all archdioceses and dioceses were enjoined to gradually work on the removal of the system, “under which the faithful is charged with a fixed amount in exchange for various church services.”
“The arancel can be a hindrance for the poor to receive God’s grace and blessings. Let us do our best, then, to remove obstacles to genuine service, especially to the poor,” said CBCP president Archbishop Romulo Vallesthen.
One of the dioceses that had already abolished the arancel system is the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan led by Archbishop Socrates Villegas.
“Beginning April 14, 2021, there will no longer be any fixed rates for the celebration of the sacraments of baptism and confirmation and for the offering of Mass intentions in the churches in the Archdiocese of Manila. Donations, however, from the faithful for the support of their church are encouraged,” Pabillo said in his decree. With CBCP News
