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MANILA, Philippines - Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle has denounced gimmicks in church weddings, citing how some couples tend to focus more on making the wedding ceremony more dramatic, instead of focusing on the significance of the Sacrament of Matrimony and its significance to their faith.

As an example, he cited an instance when he was asked to officiate a wedding. The ceremony was delayed for 45 minutes because the butterflies that wiould be released while the bride was walking toward the altar were not delivered on time in the church.

"What do the butterflies have to do with faith?" asked Tagle.

"At one time, I also received a letter from someone who was about to get married. They were asking my permission if their dog, that has been with them for a long time, could be the ring bearer in their wedding. What has become of weddings nowadays? What is the significance of the dog to faith?" he added.

The Manila prelate also questioned the fad in weddings where the church doors are closed just before the bride comes in.

"A lot of weddings are like that today. They close the door," Tagle said.

"Why do you need to close the door? That is no longer about faith, that is already gimmicky," he added.

Tagle said there have been instances also when couples would complain about the need to attend a Pre-Cana seminar and be given catechesis.

"They do not want to learn about their faith," he said.

Some couples, Tagle said, would even question the "dress code" imposed during weddings.

"Even your dress should speak of your faith. The symbols that you use should speak of your faith," he said.

Archbishop Tagle cited the following instances to challenge the faithful in view of the upcoming observance of the Year of Faith this October.

"This is one great challenge for us during this Year of Faith. Our liturgy and sacraments, sadly, sometimes are no longer a celebration of faith. Sometimes faith is the last thing that is being given attention to when it comes to the sacraments," he said.

"The sacraments have become an event for social gatherings, and it just becomes a cultural tradition. The last thing they think about is their faith," Tagle added.