Rosales stops collection of First Communion fees

Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales has issued a decree prohibiting the collection of fees from children receiving First Communion in public schools.

The cardinal directed all parishes to provide expenses for the communion of students or tap organizations to raise funds for the purpose.

In a circular addressed to all parish priests, Rosales said that while the purpose of collecting fees may be valid, it might put the Catholic Church in a bad light because the Department of Education prohibits any form of collection from public school students.

"More importantly, the fees may put an additional burden on poor families, which could lead to the non-reception of this great gift of the self-giving God, and this is quite heart heartbreaking," Rosales said. "We priests, whom God have called to the custody of the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar must see children, above all, not only the ones in the Catholic schools, but all those in public schools, as the first recipients of the immense gift of the Eucharist, which God has placed in our consecrated hands."

He likewise reminded priests of the great love that Jesus and His Church have for children.

Rosales said the late Pope John Paul II even called children "the present and future of the Church."

The Cardinal ordered that no collection of fees be made for the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation for children in public schools, although donations may be accepted.