MANILA – The Diocese of Mati in Davao Oriental will no longer charge baptismal fee in all of its churches starting this September 10.
“Most Rev. Abel C. Apigo, D.D., together with the Mati Clergy, undoubtedly agreed on the cancellation of the fixed rate for the sacrament of baptism, effective September 10, 2023, feast of San Nicolas de Tolentino, patron saint of the Diocese of Mati,” the diocese said in a social media post on Tuesday.
Free offering from the faithful, on the other hand, is encouraged and highly appreciated, it added.
The decree was issued on June 24 on the occasion of the Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist signed by Bishop Abel Apigo.
The diocese said the decision to remove the arancel for the sacrament of baptism was reached after thorough discussion and deeper reflection.
It stated that the initiative of the local Church of Mati is in accordance with the goal of the entire Catholic Church in the Philippines in response to the celebration of the 500 years of the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines celebrated in the year 2021 and as envisioned by the Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP II).
“This, then, gives the faithful the equal privilege to avail the sacraments with no "fixed rate" attached, and so experience the sacred presence of God, growing in holiness, graciously living a Christian life but also overflowing in generosity despite their social status,” the diocese added.
The diocese has earlier issued an official decree on the removal of arancel for funeral Masses last year.
“With the cancellation of the arancel system, the local church of Mati shifts its focus on the stewardship program, which reminds all faithful that they are just stewards of God's blessings and that everything comes from God, and so it is just right that we give back to Him whatever we have in a form of talent, time, and treasure,” it said.
Arancel is a system of fees for church services such as baptism, confirmation, weddings, and funeral Masses, as defined by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
In 2021, The CBCP established the Episcopal Office on Stewardship to help dioceses in abolishing the system. (PNA)
