Catholic priests in Philippines bring Mass to shopping malls to meet the people
The Philippines is one of the largest Catholic countries in the world, but recent surveys have shown that the country's devotion is waning, as churchgoers object to sex scandals and morality that seems old-fashioned. So priests are having to work harder, including saying mass in malls.
Published 23 May, 2013 09:00:00 PRI's The World
Early on a Sunday morning, people are already streaming into a massive shopping mall in Manila.
The seven-story Robinsons Place is a temple of consumerism. It houses about 350 stores, including gun shops, dental offices, massage parlors and a Kenny Rogers Roaster.
The music and the crowds can be a little overwhelming after a while. But up on the fourth floor, next to the Cineplex and a barber shop, the atmosphere is more soothing.
A Catholic Mass is being offered for hundreds of Filipino mall-goers who are seated in plastic chairs around a makeshift altar. To reach his congregants, the priest switches between English and the local language, Tagalog.
http://www.pri.org/stories/politics-society/religion/catholic-priests-in-philippines-bring-mass-to-shopping-malls-to-meet-the-people-13886.html
Audio at link.