Parishoners no longer required to pay for services like baptism—Archdiocese of Manila

The Archdiocese of Manila is abolishing the fixed fees for baptism, confirmation, and mass intentions starting Apr. 14, 2021 for humanitarian consideration.

In a statement released on Friday, Mar. 26, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila said that the long request for the abolition of the arancel system, which requires parishioners to pay a certain fee for sacraments and other services, will now take effect in the churches of Metro Manila.

"We, in the Archdiocese of Manila, have gradually prepared to establish stewardship programs and implement the removal of the arcancel system," they wrote.

They also added, "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 int he curches in the Archdiocese of Manila."

They noted, however, that donations will be encouraged.

In a separate conference last Jan. 28, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said that the system “can be a hindrance for the poor to receive God’s grace and blessings.”

“We commit ourselves to education, formation and catechesis in the spirituality of stewardship for our clergy, religious and laity in our dioceses, parishes, communities and families, in view of adopting a concrete stewardship program in our dioceses to replace the arancel system as soon as possible,” the CBCP said.