In metro Manila, diocese debates pros and cons of Masses at malls

Published: 2006-07-07

MUNTINLUPA CITY, Philippines (CNS) -- A prayer room with glass windows could not hold the crowd for Sunday Mass in a mall just south of Manila. On that Sunday in June, about 300 people spilled onto the corridor around the packed room. They peered through the glass to follow the liturgy under the watchful eyes of bald mannequins clad in designer underwear at a nearby shop. Most large shopping malls and centers in metropolitan Manila have rooms or chapels where Masses are celebrated regularly, reported UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand. In Paranaque Diocese, only one of seven large malls does not host Masses, because it is near a church. Canon law directs that Mass be celebrated in a "sacred place," though a "decent" place other than a church may be used if necessary. Paranaque priests who favor shopping-mall Masses say the liturgies are part of a "new evangelization" and make the Eucharist accessible. Others, however, have voiced concern about preserving the meaning and sanctity of the Mass. For some, guarding against fraud is also an issue.

Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .