There will no longer be any fixed rates for the celebration of the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and for the offering of Mass intentions in the churches in the Archdiocese of Manila starting April 14.
Archdiocese of Manila Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo said this in a decree abolishing the arancel for baptism, confirmation and Mass intentions dated March 25.
He said it was in 2017, when the bishops of the Ecclesiastical Province of Manila issued a pastoral letter on stewardship and the abolition of the arancel system which has been 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 Pabillo.
He said 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.
"In view of the foregoing, we hereby decree that 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," Pabillo said.
"Donations, however, from the faithful for the support of their church are encouraged," he added.
"Let this be one of the legacies of our quincentennial celebration of the arrival of the Christian faith in our country," said Pabillo.
The arancel system in the Church refers to the practice of giving stipends to priests for specific church services.