FAQ on Pledge System in Balete
With the expressed interest of giving the Pledge System a second look following its lull of more than seven years, questions from the younger generations are cropping up with little answers being justly provided for. Thus, in this article, let me devote some time approximating the answers to frequently asked questions regarding the system.
Question 1 (Q1) - What is Pledge System?
Answer 1 (A1) - Pledge System is a means of providing or extending expressed temporal support by the faithful to the local church where they are ecclesiastically part of for her proper objectives. It is a method of fulfilling one's obligation as provided for in Canon 222 §1 according to each person's possibilities by taking into account his or her familial obligations. Pledge is not tithing per se as biblically understood. Rather, it approximates tithing as while it is not compulsory, one binds herself/himself to the pledge she/he made before God and her/his neighbors (i.e., the local church).
Q2 - How is Pledge System administered?
A2 - There are diverse paths towards implementing the Pledge System. One has to primarily consider the context upon which the system is to be introduced. The Balete experience (during the time of Rev. Fr. Tito S. Gelito [1987-1997] and Msgr. Pedro C. Frac[1997-2004]) is a radical paradigm shift from the seeming commercialized orientation of the Arancel System grounded on a pastoral program that is anchored on a theology of life and love command (Rong pagpas-an ku krus it atong pag-ieigmanhuran kay Kristo Hesus) (cf. Mat. 22:34-40 and for a commentary on this particular topic, you may follow this link: The Two Greatest Commandments). The introduction of the Pledge was on voluntary basis and each parishioner gave his/her assent according to one's resources. Without discrimination to their capacity to pledge their financial support to the local church, the priests in return afforded them all the sacraments they want to avail without additional obligations in their part. And yet love responds to love in the manner that the sacrifices of the shepherd are requited by the outpourings of generous hearts.
Q3-Can you further differentiate Pledge from the Arancel System?
A3- As mentioned above, there is a semblance of commercialism in the manner Arancel System is now understood. The reception of sacraments and sacramentals and other rites performed in the parish church as part of pastoral administration are often seen as commodities or services demanded by consumers. Precisely, that demands for "special" services by those who can afford the price are manifest in the way we request for such sacraments. In the process, the divide between the rich and the poor is also made manifest in the Church contrary to the teachings of Jesus. Pledge is thus introduced in Balete to correct this misconception or to complement renewed catechism. Pledge made it possible the approximation of unity in the local church. The Church of Balete under the stewardship of its then parish priest, Fr. Tito S. Gelito was fulfilling its prophetic mission for the Diocese of Kalibo to gradually abolish the Arancel System as encouraged by Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP II) [Art. 118] and affirmed by the 1st Synod of Kalibo (cf. Synodal Document, Temporal Goods of the Church No. 16, 17). Msgr. Pedro C. Frac sustained this program and even replicated it in Batan Parish afterwards when he was assigned parish priest thereof. (Today, Batan Parish is the only one with successful Pledge System in the entire Diocese of Kalibo)
Q4- Is there any ideal parish structure for Pledge System to succeed?
A4- Again, it depends on the local situation. The Parish of St. Rafael has developed a structure fully supportive of its pastoral program of which the Pledge System operates. The parish is subdivided into several chapels where each chapel has its own chapel president and finance committee. The parish priest was consistent in his regular masses in the chapels even if such does not yield much financial rewards on his part. The parish has its distinct core group and education committee (all volunteers) tasked of communicating the program among the chapels. The president and the finance committee did the leg work to clarify issues and concerns on the household level. They are also the custodians of and exercise proper management of the chapel fund generated out of the pledges collected in their respective areas.
Q5- How is the income collected out of the pledge being appropriated?
A5- 50% of the monthly collections (usually offered inside a specially made Pledge Card during Sundays and monthly masses in the chapels) is set aside as Parish Fund. 10% is remitted to the local ordinary. 25% serves as Chapel Fund. Another 10% goes to the catechists (catechetical fund) and the remaining 5% serves as the stipend/transportation allowances of the Capilya Presidents and the Finance Committee. The parish priest reserved for his personal expenses the Sunday collections (colectas).
Q6- What is the basis of the Pledge System?
A6- Pledge as already explained is an approximation of tithing. It has its biblical bases therefore on both the old and the new testaments as illustrated in the following passages:
In the Old Testament: Dt. 12:17-18; 14:22-29; 15:7-11; 26:1-15; Num. 18:21-32; Neh. 10:36-40; 13:4-5, 10-14; Sir. 35:1-10; Mal. 3:6-10.
In the New Testament and Early Christians: Mat. 25:44-46; Lk. 6: 24-25; 9:25; 16:19-31; 18:25; Acts 2:44-45; 20:35; 1 Tim 6:17-19; 2 Cor 8:2; 9:7; Jas 2:15-17
Question 1 (Q1) - What is Pledge System?
Answer 1 (A1) - Pledge System is a means of providing or extending expressed temporal support by the faithful to the local church where they are ecclesiastically part of for her proper objectives. It is a method of fulfilling one's obligation as provided for in Canon 222 §1 according to each person's possibilities by taking into account his or her familial obligations. Pledge is not tithing per se as biblically understood. Rather, it approximates tithing as while it is not compulsory, one binds herself/himself to the pledge she/he made before God and her/his neighbors (i.e., the local church).
Q2 - How is Pledge System administered?
A2 - There are diverse paths towards implementing the Pledge System. One has to primarily consider the context upon which the system is to be introduced. The Balete experience (during the time of Rev. Fr. Tito S. Gelito [1987-1997] and Msgr. Pedro C. Frac[1997-2004]) is a radical paradigm shift from the seeming commercialized orientation of the Arancel System grounded on a pastoral program that is anchored on a theology of life and love command (Rong pagpas-an ku krus it atong pag-ieigmanhuran kay Kristo Hesus) (cf. Mat. 22:34-40 and for a commentary on this particular topic, you may follow this link: The Two Greatest Commandments). The introduction of the Pledge was on voluntary basis and each parishioner gave his/her assent according to one's resources. Without discrimination to their capacity to pledge their financial support to the local church, the priests in return afforded them all the sacraments they want to avail without additional obligations in their part. And yet love responds to love in the manner that the sacrifices of the shepherd are requited by the outpourings of generous hearts.
Q3-Can you further differentiate Pledge from the Arancel System?
A3- As mentioned above, there is a semblance of commercialism in the manner Arancel System is now understood. The reception of sacraments and sacramentals and other rites performed in the parish church as part of pastoral administration are often seen as commodities or services demanded by consumers. Precisely, that demands for "special" services by those who can afford the price are manifest in the way we request for such sacraments. In the process, the divide between the rich and the poor is also made manifest in the Church contrary to the teachings of Jesus. Pledge is thus introduced in Balete to correct this misconception or to complement renewed catechism. Pledge made it possible the approximation of unity in the local church. The Church of Balete under the stewardship of its then parish priest, Fr. Tito S. Gelito was fulfilling its prophetic mission for the Diocese of Kalibo to gradually abolish the Arancel System as encouraged by Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP II) [Art. 118] and affirmed by the 1st Synod of Kalibo (cf. Synodal Document, Temporal Goods of the Church No. 16, 17). Msgr. Pedro C. Frac sustained this program and even replicated it in Batan Parish afterwards when he was assigned parish priest thereof. (Today, Batan Parish is the only one with successful Pledge System in the entire Diocese of Kalibo)
Q4- Is there any ideal parish structure for Pledge System to succeed?
A4- Again, it depends on the local situation. The Parish of St. Rafael has developed a structure fully supportive of its pastoral program of which the Pledge System operates. The parish is subdivided into several chapels where each chapel has its own chapel president and finance committee. The parish priest was consistent in his regular masses in the chapels even if such does not yield much financial rewards on his part. The parish has its distinct core group and education committee (all volunteers) tasked of communicating the program among the chapels. The president and the finance committee did the leg work to clarify issues and concerns on the household level. They are also the custodians of and exercise proper management of the chapel fund generated out of the pledges collected in their respective areas.
Q5- How is the income collected out of the pledge being appropriated?
A5- 50% of the monthly collections (usually offered inside a specially made Pledge Card during Sundays and monthly masses in the chapels) is set aside as Parish Fund. 10% is remitted to the local ordinary. 25% serves as Chapel Fund. Another 10% goes to the catechists (catechetical fund) and the remaining 5% serves as the stipend/transportation allowances of the Capilya Presidents and the Finance Committee. The parish priest reserved for his personal expenses the Sunday collections (colectas).
Q6- What is the basis of the Pledge System?
A6- Pledge as already explained is an approximation of tithing. It has its biblical bases therefore on both the old and the new testaments as illustrated in the following passages:
In the Old Testament: Dt. 12:17-18; 14:22-29; 15:7-11; 26:1-15; Num. 18:21-32; Neh. 10:36-40; 13:4-5, 10-14; Sir. 35:1-10; Mal. 3:6-10.
In the New Testament and Early Christians: Mat. 25:44-46; Lk. 6: 24-25; 9:25; 16:19-31; 18:25; Acts 2:44-45; 20:35; 1 Tim 6:17-19; 2 Cor 8:2; 9:7; Jas 2:15-17
I stumbled upon an interesting peek into the Arancel system of the Spanish Philippines in this link: https://curatormuseo.wordpress.com/2012/01/10/brothers-of-rizals-padre-damaso-cost-of-burying-the-dead-during-the-spanish-colonial-period/
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