Bishop closes religious stores; opening of new ones banned

Charging of fixed rates on church docs stopped 

By Leslie Ann Aquino

DAGUPAN CITY -- Archbishop Villegas has not allowed the opening of new religious stores and closed the ones that are in existence in his archdiocese as part of pastoral prudence, even as he ordered a stop to charging of church documents.

He said in a circular it has been noted how there are some instances when the articles on sale in such stores are no longer related to the promotion of religious devotion and catechesis.

“This practice has left a mistaken impression among the Catholic faithful that the Church is engaging in business and commerce beyond its spiritual mission,” said Villegas.

“The Bureau of Internal Revenue has sent some alarming signals about imposing taxes on such religious stores. Unless properly guided by our legal counsel, the maintenance of religious stores might become an entry point for the BIR to even examine the other collections and fund sources of the Catholic Church,” he added.

The Lingayen Dagupan prelate said the Church stands at risk as secularism gains ground.

“In consideration of the foregoing, it was decided… that in the Archdiocese of Lingayen Dagupan, we will not open new religious stores and close the ones that are in existence, unless such stores have submitted their records to the Bureau of Internal Revenue and have gained business licenses from the government as required by law,” said Villegas.

“This policy on religious stores will also enhance our desire to rid the parish operations of any semblance of business and commerce. It is a hard climb but we must be wise as serpents and innocent as doves,” he added

The matter of parishes operating stores for religious books and devotional articles was discussed during their regular clergy meeting last Jan. 8.

Villegas, in another circular, also asked parishes in his archdiocese to stop charging fixed rates in issuing canonical certificates so0 as not to “commercialize” church services.

“This is in consonance with our collective vision to cleanse the church of any semblance of commercialism in the rendering of Church services,” he said in a CBCP News post.

The new “obligatory policy,” states that baptismal certificates, confirmation certificates, marriage certificates, wedding and similar documents must be issued to requesting parishioners “without requiring any fixed amount.”

Last year, the prelate also set up a policy against soliciting or accepting payments for sacraments.

Instead, Villegas pushed for the “pananabangan” or stewardship spirit to function which means parishes will just accept whatever it is that the parishioners can offer.

He said blessings and sacraments must not appear as church services “rendered in exchange for fees.”

However, the Lingayen prelate appealed to the faithful to donate generously to their parishes regardless of services they may need.

“This is a proof of our maturity in the faith and devotion to our Mother Church. We must be a community that gives because we love the Church,” Villegas said.

“We dream of a Church renewed, truly close to the people and responsive to the needs of the flock. Let us make this vision come true. Thank you for sharing the vision,” he added.