The Archdiocese of Manila has decreed on Thursday, March 25, the abolition of the “arancel” or the system of charging fixed rates for the celebration of sacraments.
Bishop Broderick Pabillo, apostolic administrator of the archdiocese, said the new policy takes effect on April 14 as the Philippines marks the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christianity.
“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,” said the prelate.
He said the archdiocese instead encourages donations from the faithful “for the support of their Church.”
There are about 92 churches in the archdiocese, which covers parishes in the cities of Manila, Pasay, Makati, Mandaluyong, and San Juan.
In 2017, the bishops of the Ecclesiastical Province of Manila issued a pastoral letter on stewardship, ending the “arancel” system.
The Church this year also marks the 30th anniversary of the 2nd Plenary Council of the Philippines, which mandated the gradual abolition of the “arancel” system.
In January, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines renewed its commitment in line with the quincentennial celebration of the arrival of Christianity in the country.
“Let this be one of the legacies of our quincentennial celebration of the arrival of the Christian faith in our country,” said Bishop Pabillo.
