CBCP warns on exorbitant fees for sacraments

The Blessed Sacraments are not for sale.

This was underscored by Palo Archbishop John Du who was reacting to reports that some parishes have allegedly imposed exorbitant and strict fees for sacraments like baptisms.

According to the prelate, the fees assessed should be pegged at a fixed, affordable rate and would have to be intended only to help the church sustain its operation, and not for profit.

In a CBCP News post, Du said the fees help finance the administrative requirements of the church such as the wage of the parish staff and subsistence of the clergy.

In an earlier press conference, the prelate already warned that no parish or clergy member should take advantage of the sacraments as a means for personal gain.

For his part, Fr. Oliver Mazo, assistant vicar of the Sto. Niño Church, asked parish lectors to help make the people understand why there was a need to impose a specific rate for each of the sacraments.

He explained that the arancel system is regulatory in nature and does not impose exorbitant fees “so as not to discourage the faithful from availing of the sacraments.”

The system is a stipend for sacraments, like baptism and marriage, that are set by the Bishop within the bounds of canon law, the proceeds of which go to the upkeep of the parish and its charity fund. They do not go to the priest.

Since 2013, the Archdiocese of Palo, through the initiative of Du, has started giving out standard living allowances (SLA) to about 175 clergy in the archdiocese.