THE Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish of Santo Niño (Tondo Church) yesterday warned the faithful against the spread of unauthorized solicitation envelopes asking for monetary donations among parishioners supposedly to augment church funds.
Based on Circular No. 2023-28, Tondo Church Rector and Parish Priest Msgr. Geronimo Reyes described as a scam the distribution of the solicitation envelopes by unscrupulous individuals.
“This is to inform you that the Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish of Santo Nino has not circulated solicitation envelopes and other means of monetary contributions (electronic, bank/mobile transfer or physical monetary contribution) without the permission of the Rector and Parish Priest,” said Reyes.
“Let us all be careful of the incidents and scam victimizing the church goers and parish servants, using our clergy and the church to swindle money and other favors surreptitiously,” he also said.
Reyes stressed that all solicitation activities done within the parish must be authorized by the parish priest.
“Organizations and ministries are prohibited to solicit monetary contributions without the approval from the undersigned,” he said.
Reyes told parishioners to report to the proper authorities the individuals who would approach them and give them solicitation envelopes or directly ask for solicitation supposedly for the Tondo Church.
“Should you come to know of anyone using the name of the Shrine-Parish, the clergy and its councils, kindly report it with no delay to the parish office,” said Reyes.
For those looking to give donations to the church, the priest said advised them to go directly to the parish office, hand over their donations and ask for official receipts.
The Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish of Santo Niño is one of the most popular churches in the City of Manila. It serves as the home of an image of the Infant Jesus, which originally came from Acapulco, Mexico.
