For Mass Attendance, Priest Lures People With Money And Alcohol

A priest in a rural village of central Italy is said to be offering free alcohol to adults and money to children in a bid to increase church attendance, as part of a supermarket-style loyalty programme.
Father Gianfranco Formenton of the church of Saint Martin in Trignano,  via his Facebook announced that the rewards scheme would start from July 2.

He also offered prosecco from his home region of Veneto and crisps mixed with Communion wafers as snacks, but only to owners of a “Mass Attendance Card.”

He also stressed that the church premises are air-conditioned and available for hire for birthdays and other events.

In an interview with Il Messaggero newspaper, which first reported on the unusual initiative on Sunday, Father Formenton said the idea was “born as a game, thought up with the youth members of the parish and mainly targeted towards them.”

“Every Sunday, at the end of Mass, I put a stamp on the card, to certify [the owner’s] attendance.
“It’s just a game, but it helps to remind everybody that faith is a commitment and, as such, it does not go on holiday,” Formenton said.

NAN